Shofetim 5:2

2 Barachu Hashem that the strong in Yisroel put forth strength, that the people willingly offered themselves.

Shofetim 5:2 Meaning and Commentary

Judges 5:2

Praise ye the Lord for the avenging of Israel
The injuries done to Israel by any of their enemies, and particularly what wrongs had been done them by Jabin, king of Canaan, for twenty years past; though some understand it of the vengeance God took on Israel for their sins; and though praise is not given directly for that, yet inasmuch as, when that was the case, there were some whose spirits were stirred up to engage voluntarily in the deliverance of them from the oppression of their enemies, it was matter of praise:

when the people willingly offered themselves:
to go and fight for Israel against their enemies, particularly those of the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali, ( Judges 5:18 ) ; though not excluding others that joined, who could not have been forced to it, had they not freely offered themselves; and which was owing to the secret influence of divine Providence on their hearts, moving and drawing them to this service; and therefore praise was due to the Lord on this account, who works in the hearts of men both to will and to do, as in things spiritual and religious, so in things natural and civil.

Shofetim 5:2 In-Context

1 Then sang Devorah and Barak ben Avinoam on that day, saying,
2 Barachu Hashem that the strong in Yisroel put forth strength, that the people willingly offered themselves.
3 Hear, O ye melachim; give ear, O ye rozenim (princes); I, even I, will sing unto Hashem; I will make music to Hashem Elohei Yisroel.
4 Hashem, when Thou wentest out from Seir, when Thou marchedst out of the sadeh Edom, Eretz trembled, HaShomayim poured, clouds also poured down mayim.
5 The harim quaked at the presence of Hashem, this Sinai before Hashem Elohei Yisroel.
The Orthodox Jewish Bible fourth edition, OJB. Copyright 2002,2003,2008,2010, 2011 by Artists for Israel International. All rights reserved.