2 "When the princes in Israel take the lead, when the people willingly offer themselves- praise the Lord! 3 "Hear this, you kings! Listen, you rulers! I, even I, will sing to[1] the Lord; I will praise the Lord, the God of Israel, in song.

Other Translations of Judges 5:2-3

King James Version

2 Praise ye the Lord for the avenging of Israel, when the people willingly offered themselves. 3 Hear, O ye kings; give ear, O ye princes; I, even I, will sing unto the Lord; I will sing praise to the Lord God of Israel.

English Standard Version

2 "That the leaders took the lead in Israel, that the people offered themselves willingly, bless the Lord! 3 "Hear, O kings; give ear, O princes; to the Lord I will sing; I will make melody to the Lord, the God of Israel.

The Message

2 When they let down their hair in Israel, they let it blow wild in the wind. The people volunteered with abandon, bless God! 3 Hear O kings! Listen O princes! To God, yes to God, I'll sing, Make music to God, to the God of Israel.

New King James Version

2 "When leaders lead in Israel, When the people willingly offer themselves, Bless the Lord! 3 "Hear, O kings! Give ear, O princes! I, even I, will sing to the Lord; I will sing praise to the Lord God of Israel.

New Living Translation

2 "Israel's leaders took charge, and the people gladly followed. Praise the Lord ! 3 "Listen, you kings! Pay attention, you mighty rulers! For I will sing to the Lord . I will make music to the Lord, the God of Israel.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Judges 5:2-3

Commentary on Judges 5:1-5.

(Read Judges 5:1-5.)

No time should be lost in returning thanks to the Lord for his mercies; for our praises are most acceptable, pleasant, and profitable, when they flow from a full heart. By this, love and gratitude would be more excited and more deeply fixed in the hearts of believers; the events would be more known and longer remembered. Whatever Deborah, Barak, or the army had done, the Lord must have all the praise. The will, the power, and the success were all from Him.