Three Hundred Lamps (Judges 6-8)

Lyrics · Judges

Three Hundred Lamps

Judges 6-8

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Three Hundred Lamps

Judges 6-8

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About this song

This song belongs to the Judges collection. 8 recordings are available to play here, with the complete lyrics below.

Bible book: Judges
Collection: Judges
Musical styles: Acoustic, World Music, Electronic, Alternative Pop, Country & Americana, Cinematic Rock

[Verse 1] Gideon threshed wheat where the winepress could hide, Midian's raiders had emptied the countryside. A messenger hailed him a warrior of might; He answered with questions in fear of the fight. The altar of Baal fell down in the night; A fleece gathered dew, then the ground held it white. [Refrain] Too many for glory, Too many for fame. Send home the fearful; Let God bear the name. From thousands to hundreds, Three hundred remained; The weakness of vessels Would make Israel free. [Verse 2] Three hundred men knelt and lifted the stream, Others lay drinking and left Gideon's team. No sword in the first hand, no shield in the dark, Only a trumpet, a pitcher, a spark. Around Midian's camp at the middle watch hour, Clay jars were shattered to uncover power. [Chorus] Three hundred lamps in the darkness, Three hundred trumpets that cried, "The sword of the Lord and of Gideon!" And terror broke out on each side. The enemy's sword turned against him, The valley awoke under flame; Three hundred lamps in the darkness Left no room for boasting or fame. [Coda] The land found rest after Midian fled, Yet crowns and gold tempted the victor ahead. Deliverance was given through weakness made bright; Remember the lamps in the middle of night.

Named in this songGideon

About the passage

Judges 6: Gideon is called amid fear, oppression, and idolatry

Judges 6 introduces Gideon by showing how thoroughly Midian has reduced Israel. People hide in caves, crops disappear, livestock is stripped away, and Gideon threshes wheat where it can be concealed. When Israel cries out, the first answer is not a soldier but a prophet who recalls the exodus and names disobedience. Gideon’s call follows with questions, fear, a sign, and the promise “Surely I will be with thee.” His first assigned act is not against Midian but against Baal’s altar in his own household. He obeys at night because he is afraid, and the city wakes to a religious confrontation. Only then do enemy armies gather. The Spirit comes upon Gideon before the fleece signs, which confirm an already spoken promise rather than create a new command.

Study Judges 6 in depth

Judges 7: A reduced army receives an unexpected victory

Judges 7 deliberately makes Gideon’s army too small for the victory to be credited to Israel’s strength. Thousands leave because they are afraid, then a water test reduces the force again until only three hundred remain. Gideon still fears, and the LORD accommodates that fear by sending him with Purah to hear a Midianite dream. A barley cake topples a tent in the dream, and the enemy’s own interpretation says Midian has been delivered into Gideon’s hand. Gideon worships and returns ready to act. The three hundred surround the camp with trumpets, pitchers, and lamps, while the LORD turns Midianite swords against one another. Israel’s pursuit then expands beyond the original force. The chapter keeps human preparation visible but makes self-congratulation impossible as the final explanation.

Study Judges 7 in depth

Judges 8: Victory gives way to retaliation, wealth, and a snare

Judges 8 begins with Gideon at his most restrained and ends with his legacy badly complicated. Ephraim confronts him angrily, and Gideon defuses the dispute by honoring their contribution. Crossing the Jordan, however, the same leader answers Succoth and Penuel’s refusal of aid with threats he later carries out. His pursuit of Zebah and Zalmunna becomes openly personal when he learns they killed his brothers. Israel then asks Gideon to establish hereditary rule. He refuses in words, saying the LORD shall rule, yet accepts royal wealth, maintains a vast household, and makes an ephod from collected gold. That object becomes a snare to Gideon and Israel. Forty years of quiet follow, but after his death the people return to Baal and forget both the LORD’s deliverance and kindness toward Gideon’s house.

Study Judges 8 in depth