Judges 5:3
New International Version
“Hear this, you kings! Listen, you rulers! I, even I, will sing to the LORD; I will praise the LORD, the God of Israel, in song.

New Living Translation
“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.

English Standard Version
“Hear, O kings; give ear, O princes; to the LORD I will sing; I will make melody to the LORD, the God of Israel.

Berean Standard Bible
Listen, O kings! Give ear, O princes! I will sing to the LORD; I will sing praise to the LORD, the God of Israel.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
“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 American Standard Bible
“Hear, you kings; listen, you dignitaries! I myself—to the LORD, I myself will sing, I will sing praise to the LORD, the God of Israel!

NASB 1995
“Hear, O kings; give ear, O rulers! I— to the LORD, I will sing, I will sing praise to the LORD, the God of Israel.

NASB 1977
“Hear, O kings; give ear, O rulers! I—to the LORD, I will sing, I will sing praise to the LORD, the God of Israel.

Legacy Standard Bible
Hear, O kings; give ear, O rulers! As for me, to Yahweh, I will sing; I will sing praise to Yahweh, the God of Israel.

Amplified Bible
“Hear, O kings; listen, O rulers! I will sing to the LORD, I will sing praise to the LORD, the God of Israel.

Christian Standard Bible
Listen, kings! Pay attention, princes! I will sing to the LORD; I will sing praise to the LORD God of Israel.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Listen, kings! Pay attention, princes! I will sing to the LORD; I will sing praise to the LORD God of Israel.

American Standard Version
Hear, O ye kings; give ear, O ye princes; I, even I, will sing unto Jehovah; I will sing praise to Jehovah, the God of Israel.

Contemporary English Version
Listen, kings and rulers, while I sing for the LORD, the God of Israel.

English Revised Version
Hear, O ye kings; give ear, O ye princes; I, even I, will sing unto the LORD; I will sing praise to the LORD, the God of Israel.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Listen, you kings! Open your ears, you princes! I will sing a song to the LORD. I will make music to the LORD God of Israel.

Good News Translation
Listen, you kings! Pay attention, you rulers! I will sing and play music to Israel's God, the LORD.

International Standard Version
Listen, you kings! Turn your ears to me, you rulers! As for me, to the LORD I will sing! I will sing praise to the LORD God of Israel.

Majority Standard Bible
Listen, O kings! Give ear, O princes! I will sing to the LORD; I will sing praise to the LORD, the God of Israel.

NET Bible
Hear, O kings! Pay attention, O rulers! I will sing to the LORD! I will sing to the LORD God of Israel!

New Heart English Bible
"Hear, you kings. Give ear, you princes. I, even I, will sing to the LORD. I will sing praise to the LORD, the God of Israel.

Webster's Bible Translation
Hear, O ye kings; give ear, O ye princes; I, even I, will sing to the LORD; I will sing praise to the LORD God of Israel.

World English Bible
“Hear, you kings! Give ear, you princes! I, even I, will sing to Yahweh. I will sing praise to Yahweh, the God of Israel.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Hear, you kings; give ear, you princes, "" I sing to YHWH, "" I sing praise to YHWH, God of Israel.

Young's Literal Translation
Hear, ye kings; give ear, ye princes, I, to Jehovah, I -- I do sing, I sing praise to Jehovah, God of Israel.

Smith's Literal Translation
Hear, ye kings; give ear ye princes; I, to Jehovah, will I sing; I will play to Jehovah, God of Israel.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Hear, O ye kings, give ear, ye princes: It is I, it is I, that will sing to the Lord, I will sing to the Lord the God of Israel.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Listen, O kings! Pay attention, O princes! It is I, it is I, who will sing to the Lord. I will sing a psalm to the Lord, the God of Israel!

New American Bible
Hear, O kings! Give ear, O princes! I will sing, I will sing to the LORD, I will make music to the LORD, the God of Israel.

New Revised Standard Version
“Hear, O kings; give ear, O princes; to the LORD I will sing, I will make melody to the LORD, the God of Israel.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Hear, O kings; give ear, O princes; I will sing to the LORD; I will sing praise to the LORD God of Israel.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Hear Kings and obey Rulers. I shall glorify LORD JEHOVAH and I shall sing to him, to LORD JEHOVAH the God of Israel
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Hear, O ye kings; give ear, O ye princes; I, unto the LORD will I sing; I will sing praise to the LORD, the God of Israel.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Hear, ye kings, and hearken, rulers: I will sing, it is I who will sing to the Lord, it is I, I will sing a psalm to the Lord the god of Israel.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Song of Deborah and Barak
2“When the princes take the lead in Israel, when the people volunteer, bless the LORD. 3Listen, O kings! Give ear, O princes! I will sing to the LORD; I will sing praise to the LORD, the God of Israel. 4O LORD, when You went out from Seir, when You marched from the land of Edom, the earth trembled, the heavens poured out rain, and the clouds poured down water.…

Cross References
Psalm 66:4
All the earth bows down to You; they sing praise to You; they sing praise to Your name.” Selah

Psalm 68:32
Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth; sing praises to the Lord—Selah

Psalm 96:1-2
Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth. / Sing to the LORD, bless His name; proclaim His salvation day after day.

Psalm 98:4-6
Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth—let your cry ring out, and sing praises! / Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre, in melodious song with the harp. / With trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn shout for joy before the LORD, the King.

Psalm 100:1-2
A Psalm of thanksgiving. Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth. / Serve the LORD with gladness; come into His presence with joyful songs.

Psalm 138:1
Of David. I give You thanks with all my heart; before the gods I sing Your praises.

Isaiah 42:10-12
Sing to the LORD a new song—His praise from the ends of the earth—you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, you islands, and all who dwell in them. / Let the desert and its cities raise their voices; let the villages of Kedar cry aloud. Let the people of Sela sing for joy; let them cry out from the mountaintops. / Let them give glory to the LORD and declare His praise in the islands.

Isaiah 44:23
Sing for joy, O heavens, for the LORD has done this; shout aloud, O depths of the earth. Break forth in song, O mountains, you forests and all your trees. For the LORD has redeemed Jacob, and revealed His glory in Israel.

Isaiah 49:13
Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth; break forth in song, O mountains! For the LORD has comforted His people, and He will have compassion on His afflicted ones.

Isaiah 52:9
Break forth in joy, sing together, O ruins of Jerusalem, for the LORD has comforted His people; He has redeemed Jerusalem.

Revelation 15:3-4
and they sang the song of God’s servant Moses and of the Lamb: “Great and wonderful are Your works, O Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the nations! / Who will not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before You, for Your righteous acts have been revealed.”

Revelation 19:5-6
Then a voice came from the throne, saying: “Praise our God, all you who serve Him, and those who fear Him, small and great alike!” / And I heard a sound like the roar of a great multitude, like the rushing of many waters, and like a mighty rumbling of thunder, crying out: “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns.

Romans 15:9
so that the Gentiles may glorify God for His mercy. As it is written: “Therefore I will praise You among the Gentiles; I will sing hymns to Your name.”

Ephesians 5:19
Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your hearts to the Lord,

Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.


Treasury of Scripture

Hear, O you kings; give ear, O you princes; I, even I, will sing to the LORD; I will sing praise to the LORD God of Israel.

o ye kings

Deuteronomy 32:1,3
Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth…

Psalm 2:10-12
Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth…

Psalm 49:1,2
To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. Hear this, all ye people; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world: …

I, even I

Judges 5:7
The inhabitants of the villages ceased, they ceased in Israel, until that I Deborah arose, that I arose a mother in Israel.

Genesis 6:17
And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die.

Genesis 9:9
And I, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your seed after you;

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Judges 5
1. The Song of Deborah and Barak














Hear, O kings; give ear, O rulers
This opening phrase of Judges 5:3 is a call to attention, directed towards the leaders of the nations. The Hebrew word for "hear" is "שִׁמְעוּ" (shim'u), which is an imperative form, demanding immediate attention and obedience. This is not merely a request but a command that underscores the authority of the speaker, Deborah, a prophetess and judge of Israel. The phrase "give ear" is translated from "הַאֲזִינוּ" (ha'azinu), which carries a connotation of listening with the intent to understand and act. The mention of "kings" and "rulers" indicates that the message is of great importance, transcending local or tribal boundaries, and is meant for those in positions of power and influence. Historically, this reflects the period of the Judges, a time of decentralized leadership in Israel, where God raised leaders to deliver His people. The call to these leaders emphasizes the universal scope of God's sovereignty and the accountability of all rulers to divine authority.

I will sing to the LORD
The phrase "I will sing" is a personal declaration of worship and praise. The Hebrew root "אָשִׁירָה" (ashirah) implies a spontaneous and joyful expression of song. This is significant as it reflects the cultural and religious practice of using music as a form of worship and storytelling in ancient Israel. Singing to "the LORD" (יהוה, Yahweh) is an act of devotion and acknowledgment of God's supreme power and faithfulness. In the context of Judges, this is a response to God's deliverance and victory over the enemies of Israel. The act of singing is both a personal and communal expression, inviting others to join in the celebration of God's mighty acts. It serves as a reminder of the importance of worship in the life of believers, encouraging them to express gratitude and reverence through song.

I will sing praise to the LORD, the God of Israel
The repetition of "I will sing" emphasizes the speaker's commitment to continuous praise. The word "praise" is derived from the Hebrew "אֲזַמֵּר" (azamr), which suggests a more structured and formal act of worship, often accompanied by musical instruments. This highlights the organized and intentional nature of worship in Israelite culture. The phrase "the LORD, the God of Israel" identifies Yahweh as the covenant God of Israel, distinguishing Him from the pagan gods of surrounding nations. This declaration reaffirms the unique relationship between God and His chosen people, Israel. It serves as a theological anchor, reminding the audience of God's faithfulness to His promises and His role as the divine protector and deliverer. In a broader scriptural context, this phrase underscores the central theme of God's sovereignty and His active involvement in the history of His people. It inspires believers to recognize and proclaim God's ongoing work in their lives and in the world.

(3) Hear, O ye kings.--There were no kings or princes in Israel, but the appeal is to the "kings of the earth," as in Psalm 2:10; for which reason the LXX. render "princes" by satraps. The Chaldee refers it to the kings allied with Jabin.

Verse 3. - Her song was worthy to be listened to by kings and princes. She calls their attention to the tale she had to tell of the great acts of the Lord.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Listen,
שִׁמְע֣וּ (šim·‘ū)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

O kings!
מְלָכִ֔ים (mə·lā·ḵîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4428: A king

Give ear,
הַאֲזִ֖ינוּ (ha·’ă·zî·nū)
Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 238: To broaden out the ear, to listen

O princes!
רֹֽזְנִ֑ים (rō·zə·nîm)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 7336: To be weighty, judicious or commanding

I
אָֽנֹכִ֗י (’ā·nō·ḵî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 595: I

will sing
אָשִׁ֔ירָה (’ā·šî·rāh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect Cohortative - first person common singular
Strong's 7891: To sing

to the LORD;
לַֽיהוָה֙ (Yah·weh)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

I will sing praise
אֲזַמֵּ֕ר (’ă·zam·mêr)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 2167: Play, to make music, celebrate in song and music

to the LORD,
לַֽיהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

the God
אֱלֹהֵ֥י (’ĕ·lō·hê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

of Israel.
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc


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OT History: Judges 5:3 Hear you kings! (Jd Judg. Jdg)
Judges 5:2
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