19 Yahweh saw it, and abhorred them,
because of the provocation of his sons and his daughters. 20 He said, “I will hide my face from them.
I will see what their end shall be;
for they are a very perverse generation,
children in whom is no faithfulness. 21 They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God.
They have provoked me to anger with their vanities.
I will move them to jealousy with those who are not a people.
I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation. 22 For a fire is kindled in my anger,
Burns to the lowest Sheol,
Devours the earth with its increase,
and sets the foundations of the mountains on fire. 23 “I will heap evils on them.
I will spend my arrows on them. 24 They shall be wasted with hunger, and devoured with burning heat
and bitter destruction.
I will send the teeth of animals on them,
With the poison of crawling things of the dust. 25 Outside the sword shall bereave,
and in the chambers, terror;
on both young man and virgin,
The suckling with the gray-haired man.
26 I said, I would scatter them afar.
I would make the memory of them to cease from among men; 27 were it not that I feared the provocation of the enemy,
lest their adversaries should judge wrongly,
lest they should say, ‘Our hand is exalted,
Yahweh has not done all this.’” 28 For they are a nation void of counsel.
There is no understanding in them. 29 Oh that they were wise, that they understood this,
that they would consider their latter end! 30 How could one chase a thousand,
and two put ten thousand to flight,
unless their Rock had sold them,
and Yahweh had delivered them up? 31 For their rock is not as our Rock,
even our enemies themselves being judges. 32 For their vine is of the vine of Sodom,
of the fields of Gomorrah.
Their grapes are grapes of gall,
Their clusters are bitter. 33 Their wine is the poison of serpents,
The cruel venom of asps. 34 “Isn’t this laid up in store with me,
sealed up among my treasures? 35 Vengeance is mine, and recompense,
at the time when their foot slides;
for the day of their calamity is at hand.
The things that are to come on them shall make haste.” 36 For Yahweh will judge his people,
and have compassion on his servants,
when he sees that their power is gone,
There is none remaining, shut up or left at large. 37 He will say, “Where are their gods,
The rock in which they took refuge; 38 Which ate the fat of their sacrifices,
And drank the wine of their drink offering?
Let them rise up and help you!
Let them be your protection.
39 “See now that I, even I, am he,
There is no god with me.
I kill, and I make alive.
I wound, and I heal.
There is no one who can deliver out of my hand. 40 For I lift up my hand to heaven,
And say, As I live forever, 41 if I whet my glittering sword,
My hand take hold on judgment;
I will render vengeance to my adversaries,
and will recompense those who hate me. 42 I will make my arrows drunk with blood.
My sword shall devour flesh with the blood of the slain and the captives,
from the head of the leaders of the enemy.”
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Deuteronomy 32:19-42
Commentary on Deuteronomy 32:19-25
(Read Deuteronomy 32:19-25)
The revolt of Israel was described in the foregoing verses, and here follow the resolves of Divine justice as to them. We deceive ourselves, if we think that God will be mocked by a faithless people. Sin makes us hateful in the sight of the holy God. See what mischief sin does, and reckon those to be fools that mock at it.
Commentary on Deuteronomy 32:26-38
(Read Deuteronomy 32:26-38)
The idolatry and rebellions of Israel deserved, and the justice of God seemed to demand, that they should be rooted out. But He spared Israel, and continues them still to be living witnesses of the truth of the Bible, and to silence unbelievers. They are preserved for wise and holy purposes and the prophecies give us some idea what those purposes are. The Lord will never disgrace the throne of his glory. It is great wisdom, and will help much to the return of sinners to God, seriously to consider their latter end, or the future state. It is here meant particularly of what God foretold by Moses, about this people in the latter days; but it may be applied generally. Oh that men would consider the happiness they will lose, and the misery they will certainly plunge into, if they go on in their trespasses! What will be in the end thereof? Jeremiah 5:31. For the Lord will in due time bring down the enemies of the church, in displeasure against their wickedness. When sinners deem themselves most secure, they suddenly fall into destruction. And God's time to appear for the deliverance of his people, is when things are at the worst with them. But those who trust to any rock but God, will find it fail them when they most need it. The rejection of the Messiah by the Jewish nation, is the continuance of their ancient idolatry, apostacy, and rebellion. They shall be brought to humble themselves before the Lord, to repent of their sins, and to trust in their long-rejected Mediator for salvation. Then he will deliver them, and make their prosperity great.
Commentary on Deuteronomy 32:39-43
(Read Deuteronomy 32:39-43)
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.