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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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 32:3

Because I will publish the name of the Lord ,.... Not call on his name, as some, nor call to the heaven and earth in his name, as others, but proclaim his name, even the same that was proclaimed before Moses, Exodus 34:6 ; and this is to be understood, not of Jehovah the Father, nor of Jehovah the Spirit, but of Jehovah the Son, the rock whose work is perfect, and the rock of salvation, Deuteronomy 32:4 ; and not of any particular name of his, unless any of those mentioned can be thought... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 32:4

He is the rock ,.... That is, Jehovah is the rock, whose name Moses proposed to publish; and our God, to whom the heavens and the earth are called upon to ascribe greatness, even Christ the rock of salvation: here begins the song; the first word in it is very emphatic; it has a letter in it larger than usual, to denote the greatness of this Person, and to make it observable; he is "this" or "that rock" F11 הצור "quod attinet ad rupem illam", Piscator; "rupes illa", Van Till; "rupes... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 32:4

He is the Rock - The word צור tsur is rendered Creator by some eminent critics; and khalyk is the reading in the Arabic Version. Rab. Moses ben Maimon, in his valuable work, Moreh Nebochim, observes that the word צור tsur , which is ordinarily translated rock, signifies origin, fountain, first cause, etc., and in this way it should be translated here: "He is the first principle, his work is perfect." As he is the cause of all things, he must be infinitely perfect; and consequently... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 32:5

Their spot is not the spot of his children - This verse is variously translated and variously understood. They are corrupted, not his, children of pollution - Kennicott. They are corrupt, they are not his children, they are blotted - Houbigant. This is according to the Samaritan. The interpretation commonly given to these words is as unfounded as it is exceptionable: "God's children have their spots, i. e., their sins, but sin in them is not like sin in others; in others sin is exceedingly... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 32:3

Verse 3 3Because I will publish the name of the Lord. He signifies by these words that, if there were any spark of piety in the Israelites, it must be manifested by their welcoming this address, wherein the majesty of God shines forth. The first clause of the verse, therefore, stands last in order, since it is an assignment of a reason for the other. For when he exhorts them that they should ascribe to God the glory He deserves, he inculcates upon them obedience and attention, as if he had said... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 32:4

Verse 4 4.His work is perfect. Those who take these expressions generally, and without particular reference to this passage, not only obscure their meaning, but also lessen the force of the doctrine they contain. Let us, then, understand that the perfection of God’s works, the rectitude of His ways, etc., are contrasted with the rebellion of the people; for if there were anything (251) in God’s works imperfect and in arranged, if His mode of dealing were deficient in rectitude, if His truth... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 32:5

Verse 5 5.They have corrupted themselves. Moses now inveighs unhesitatingly against the perfidy of the people, and gives loose to the most unmeasured upbraidings; for if God be just and true, then it was plain enough that the Israelites were a depraved and perverse nation. This perverse nation, he says, has corrupted itself towards Him, namely Him, whom he has just lauded for His perfect justice and faithfulness; and he accuses them of having basely prostituted to every sort of sin the chastity... read more

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