Deuteronomy 32

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Deuteronomy 32

In this chapter we have, I. The song which Moses, by the appointment of God, delivered to the children of Israel, for a standing admonition to them, to take heed of forsaking God. This takes up most of the chapter, in which we have, 1. The preface, Deut. 32:1, 2. 2. A high character of God, and, in opposition to that, a bad character of the people of Israel, Deut. 32:3-6. 3. A rehearsal of the great things God had done for them, and in opposition to that an account of their ill carriage... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Deuteronomy 32:1-6

Here is, I. A commanding preface or introduction to this song of Moses, Deut. 32:1, 2. He begins, 1. With a solemn appeal to heaven and earth concerning the truth and importance of what he was about to say, and the justice of the divine proceedings against a rebellious and backsliding people, for he had said (Deut. 31:28) that he would in this song call heaven and earth to record against them. Heaven and earth would sooner hear than this perverse and unthinking people; for they revolt not from... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Deuteronomy 32:7-14

Moses, having in general represented God to them as their great benefactor, whom they were bound in gratitude to observe and obey, in these verses gives particular instances of God's kindness to them and concern for them. 1. Some instances were ancient, and for proof of them he appeals to the records (Deut. 32:7): Remember the days of old; that is, ?Keep in remembrance the history of those days, and of the wonderful providences of God concerning the old world, and concerning your ancestors... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Deuteronomy 32:15-18

We have here a description of the apostasy of Israel from God, which would shortly come to pass, and to which already they had a disposition. One would have thought that a people under so many obligations to their God, in duty, gratitude, and interest, would never have turned from him; but, alas! they turned aside quickly. Here are two great instances of their wickedness, and each of them amounted to an apostasy from God:? I. Security and sensuality, pride and insolence, and the other common... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Deuteronomy 32:19-25

The method of this song follows the method of the predictions in the foregoing chapter, and therefore, after the revolt of Israel from God, described in the Deut. 32:15, 16, here follow immediately the resolves of divine Justice concerning them; we deceive ourselves if we think that God will be thus mocked by a foolish faithless people, that play fast and loose with him. I. He had delighted in them, but now he would reject them with detestation and disdain, Deut. 32:19. When the Lord saw their... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Deuteronomy 32:26-38

After many terrible threatenings of deserved wrath and vengeance, we have here surprising intimations of mercy, undeserved mercy, which rejoices against judgment, and by which it appears that God has no pleasure in the death of sinners, but would rather they should turn and live. I. In jealousy for his own honour, he will not make a full end of them, Deut. 32:26-28. 1. It cannot be denied but that they deserved to be utterly ruined, and that their remembrance should be made to cease from among... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Deuteronomy 32:39-43

This conclusion of the song speaks three things: I. Glory to God, Deut. 32:39. ?See now upon the whole matter, that I, even I, am he. Learn this from the destruction of idolaters, and the inability of their idols to help them.? The great God here demands the glory, 1. Of a self-existence: I, even I, am he. Thus Moses concludes with that name of God by which he was first made to know him (Exod. 3:14), ?I am that I am. I am he that I have been, that I will be, that I have promised to be, that I... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Deuteronomy 32:44-52

Here is, I. The solemn delivery of this song to the children of Israel, Deut. 32:44, 45. Moses spoke it to as many as could hear him, while Joshua, in another assembly, at the same time, delivered it to as many as his voice would reach. Thus coming to them from the mouth of both their governors, Moses who was laying down the government, and Joshua who was taking it up, they would see they were both in the same mind, and that, though they changed their commander, there was no change in the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 32

INTRODUCTION TO DEUTERONOMY 32 This chapter contains the song mentioned and referred to in the former, the preface to it, Deuteronomy 32:1 ; the character of the divine and illustrious Person it chiefly respects, Deuteronomy 32:4 ; the ingratitude of the people of the Jews to him, who were a crooked and perverse generation, aggravated by his having bought, made, and established them, Deuteronomy 32:5 ; and which is further aggravated by various instances of divine goodness to them,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 32:1

Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth , the words of my mouth. This song is prefaced and introduced in a very grand and pompous manner, calling on the heavens and earth to give attention; by which they themselves may be meant, by a "prosopopaeia", a figure frequently used in Scripture, when things of great moment and importance are spoken of; and these are called upon to hearken, either to rebuke the stupidity and inattention of men, or to show that these would shed... read more

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