Deuteronomy 32:5-52

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 32:5

They have corrupted themselves ,.... This and what follows may seem to be the characters of the enemies of Christ, who lightly esteemed and rejected him, set in a contrast with him; who were not only corrupt by nature, as all men are, but were men of corrupt minds in their tenets and principles; who corrupted the word of God by their traditions, in the times of Christ; and were men of corrupt practices themselves, and corrupters of others: their spot is not the spot of his children ;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 32:6

Do you thus requite the Lord, O foolish people and unwise ,.... This is also a proper character of the Jews in the times of Christ, who are often by him called "fools", Matthew 23:17 ; being very ignorant of the Scriptures, and of the prophecies in them respecting him, setting up their own traditions on a level with the word of God, or above it; they were ignorant of the law of God, and the meaning of it; of the righteousness of God, of the righteousness of his nature, and of what the law... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 32:7

Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations ,.... That went before the times of Christ, and the Jews' rejection of him, and observe the instances of divine goodness to them; as in the time of the Maccabees, whom God raised up as deliverers of them, when oppressed by the Syrians and others; and in the time of the Babylonish captivity, how they were delivered out of it; in the times of David and Solomon, when they enjoyed great prosperity; and in the times of the judges,... read more

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