Albert Barnes Commentary Judges 5

Deborah, as “a prophetess,” both composed and sang this noble ode, which, for poetic spirit and lyric fire, is not surpassed by any of the sacred songs in the Bible. And, as Miriam took up the first verse of the song of Moses (Exodus 15:21), and sang it as an antiphony, so Barak, with the chorus of men, answered the song of Deborah by singing (Judges 5:2), which is also exactly suited for an antiphon, summing up as it does the subject matter of the whole ode. Compare David’s example (2 Samuel 6:15).

Render For the leading of the leaders in Israel (the princes), for the willingness of the people (to follow them) bless ye the Lord. See (Deuteronomy 32:42) note, and compare (Judges 5:9) and (Judges 5:13), where the nobles and the people are again contrasted.

Compare Psalms 68:7-9, and Habakkuk 3:3-16. The three passages relate to the same events, and mutually explain each other. The subject of them is the triumphant march of Israel, with the Lord at their head, to take possession of Canaan, and the overthrow of Sihon, Og, and the Midianites. This march commenced from Kadesh, in the immediate neighborhood of Self, and the victories which followed were an exact parallel to the victory of Deborah and Barak, accompanied as it had been by the storm which made Kishon overflow its banks.

Words descriptive of a state of weakness and fear, so that Israel could not frequent the highways. It is a graphic description of a country occupied by an enemy.

Render the word “villages” (here and in Judges 5:11) as judgment, rule, or judges, rulers. The sense is, “The princes (or magistrates) ceased in Israel,” that is, there was no one to do justice in the gate, or defend people from their oppressors.