Lightning, equally terrible and penetrating: fulminis acta modo. (Virgil, 'c6neid ix.) (Calmet) --- Judgment, to punish with rigour my declared enemies. (Haydock) --- These verses seem to regard the idolatrous nations, (Menochius) though God will not fail to punish the guilty, wherever they may be found. (Haydock) read more
Enemies. I will tear the crown from off their head. Chaldean, I will destroy the king, as well as the meanest captives. Protestants, "from the beginning of revenges upon the enemy." At the very first I will completely destroy them. (Haydock) --- I will punish them for the slaughter and captivity of my people, whom they have shaved, as a mark of their servile condition. (Menochius) --- Their bare head, or vain counsels, will be detected and punished. (Worthington) read more
People. Though God afflicted the Israelites for a time, he was always disposed to receive them to his favour again upon their repentance; and he will even receive them into his Church before the day of judgment, Romans xi. 25. (Calmet) --- This decided predilection for them, would naturally induce other nations to praise them. Grabe's Septuagint reads, "Rejoice ye heavens with him, and let all the sons of God adore him, and let all the angels of God strengthen them, because He revengeth the... read more
39-43 This conclusion of the song speaks, 1. Glory to God. No escape can be made from his power. 2. It speaks terror to his enemies. Terror indeed to those who hate him. The wrath of God is here revealed from heaven against them. 3. It speaks comfort to his own people. The song concludes with words of joy. Whatever judgments are brought upon sinners, it shall go well with the people of God. read more
Jehovah's Sentence and its Execution v. 19. And when the Lord saw it, by the testimony of His own personal observation, He abhorred them, He rejected them with a feeling of bitterness, because of the provoking, the vexation, the grief, of His sons and of His daughters. The behavior of the children of Israel caused the Lord to plan their rejection with a severe punishment. v. 20. And He said, I will hide My face from them, withdraw His mercy, be inaccessible to all their pleading for... read more
THE SUPPLEMENTSDeuteronomy 32-34THE DIVINE SONG OF MOSESDeuteronomy 32:01Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak;And hear, O earth [hear shall the earth] the words of my mouth.2My doctrine shall drop [Let my doctrine drop] as the rain,My speech [words] shall distil [flow] as the dew,As the small rain [showers] upon the tender herb [grass],And as the showers [rain-drops] upon the grass [herb];3Because [For] I will publish the name of the Lord:Ascribe [give] ye greatness unto our God.4He is the... read more
Moses Views What Others Shall Possess Deuteronomy 32:36-52 Sometimes God leaves us to ourselves that we may learn our weakness and sinfulness. Then, when our power is gone and we seem destined to be destroyed, we begin to repent of our idolatry and apostasy and to long after our former blessed experiences. At such times He draws graciously near to us again, to heal, to quicken and to deliver. He renders swift vengeance to the evils that have desolated us, and is merciful with a great... read more
Here we have the song itself. The first part (verses Deuteronomy 32:1-3; Deuteronomy 32:1-3) consists of a call to attention. Heaven and earth are called to listen while the servant of God proclaims the name of God. This he does immediately (verses Deu 32:3-4 ), celebrating His greatness, His perfection, His justice, His faithfulness. Briefly he refers to the people (verse Deu 32:5 ) and nothing good is said of them. Proceeding with the song, the tender government of God is illustrated in the... read more
Chapter 32 The Song of Moses. Having written the Complaint Document as a song to be sung by the children of Israel until its words were fulfilled and it could be called on as a witness against them, and also be seen as a promise of hope, Moses read out the song to the people. Analysis. a And Moses spoke in the ears of all the assembly of Israel the words of this song, until they were finished (Deuteronomy 31:30). b The Song of Complaint and Promise (Deuteronomy 32:1-43). a And Moses came... read more
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Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Deuteronomy 32:40-48
When Moses had finished his song, which he delivered not only in the hearing of the people, but particularly of Joshua, his successor, as if that he might be a witness both for the LORD and for himself, he makes a short observation upon the whole: and as a dying pastor, again, and again, affectionately entreats them to be wise unto salvation after his departure. See a beautiful example of this kind in Paul. Acts 20:28-37 . read more