26 'I would have said , " I will cut them to pieces , I will remove the memory of them from men ," 27 Had I not feared the provocation by the enemy , That their adversaries would misjudge , That they would say , " Our hand is triumphant , And the Lord has not done all this ."' 28 " For they are a nation lacking in counsel , And there is no understanding in them. 29 " Would that they were wise , that they understood this , That they would discern their future ! 30 " How could one chase a thousand , And two put ten thousand to flight , Unless e e their Rock had sold them, And the Lord had given them up? 31 "Indeed their rock is not like our Rock , Even our enemies themselves judge this. 32 "For their vine is from the vine of Sodom , And from the fields of Gomorrah ; Their grapes are grapes of poison , Their clusters , bitter . 33 "Their wine is the venom of serpents , And the deadly poison of cobras . 34 ' Is it not laid up in store with Me, Sealed up in My treasuries ? 35 ' Vengeance is Mine, and retribution , In due time their foot will slip ; For the day of their calamity is near , And the impending things are hastening upon them.' 36 " For the Lord will vindicate His people , And will have compassion on His servants , When He sees that their strength is gone , And there is none remaining, bond or free . 37 "And He will say , ' Where are their gods , The rock in which they sought refuge ? 38 ' Who 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 hiding place !
39 ' See now that I, I am He, And there is no god besides Me; It is I who put to death and give life . I have wounded and it is I who heal , And there is no one who can deliver from My hand . 40 'Indeed , I lift up My hand to heaven , And say , as I live forever , 41 If I sharpen My flashing sword , And My hand takes hold on justice , I will render vengeance on My adversaries , And I will repay those who hate Me. 42 ' I will make My arrows drunk with blood , And My sword will devour flesh , With the blood of the slain and the captives , From the long-haired leaders of the enemy .' 43 " Rejoice , O nations , with His people ; For He will avenge the blood of His servants , And will render vengeance on His adversaries , And will atone for His land and His people ."
44 Then Moses came and spoke all the words of this song in the hearing of the people , he, with Joshua the son of Nun . 45 When Moses had finished speaking all these words to all Israel , 46 he said to them, " Take to your heart all the words with which I am warning you today , which you shall command your sons to observe carefully , even all the words of this law . 47 "For it is not an idle word for you; indeed it is your life . And by this word you will prolong your days in the land , which you are about to cross the Jordan to possess ."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Deuteronomy 32:26-47
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.
Commentary on Deuteronomy 32:44-47
(Read Deuteronomy 32:44-47)
Here is the solemn delivery of this song to Israel, with a charge to mind all the good words Moses had said unto them. It is not a trifle, but a matter of life and death: mind it, and you are made for ever; neglect it, and you are for ever undone. Oh that men were fully persuaded that religion is their life, even the life of their souls!