Bible Commentaries
Go deeper in Scripture
Browse trusted public-domain commentary alongside DiscipleDeck Bible study. References inside each commentary open Bible previews in place.
27,299 commentary entries
The Pulpit Commentary
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 32:31
The heathen had also a rock in which they trusted—their idol-gods; but even they knew and felt that their rock was not as the Rock of Israel, for, having often experienced the almighty power of God, they could not but a…
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 32:31
The superiority of the believer's Rock. Few men but feel that they need a rock of some kind. Only when their mountain stands very strong do they feel as if they were absolutely secure and independent (Obadiah 1:3, Obadi…
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 32:31
Our Rock. Apply to the religion of the Bible. Proved to be superior to every other system: 1. In proofs of supernatural origin. 2. In moral and spiritual power. 3. In the privileges it offers. 4. In the prospects it hol…
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 32:32
If the Rock of Israel was so much mightier than the rock of their enemies, how came it that Israel was beaten and put to flight by their enemies? The reason is here given: It was because Israel had become wholly corrupt…
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 32:33
The wine of these grapes is poison and venom. Dragons; tannin (cf. Exodus 7:9, Exodus 7:10). Cruel [deadly] venom of asps. The pethen, one of the most poisonous of snakes, the bite of which was immediately fatal (Kitto,…
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 32:34-43
Notwithstanding the iniquity of Israel and the judgments that should come upon them, God would have compassion upon them for his Name's sake, and would appear for their vindication and defense. The "this" in Deuteronomy…
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 32:34-43
Retribution. I. VENGEANCE A PREROGATIVE OF DEITY. As just Judge of the earth, God must avenge transgression. Vengeance is to be distinguished from personal vindictiveness. Of that God is incapable. But Scripture, suppor…
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 32:34
My treasures. God's treasures contain not only a store of blessing, but also instruments of punishment, which as he sees meet, he sends forth on men (cf. Deuteronomy 28:12; Job 38:22, Job 38:23; Psalms 135:7).
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 32:35
Render: Vengeance is mine, and retribution for the time when their feet shall totter; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and that which is prepared for them maketh haste. The tottering of the feet represents the…
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 32:36-43
Jehovah reigns; be glad! This paragraph has about it a remarkably martial ring. It is not to be looked at as bald and literal prose. It is part of a song; it is laden with imagery, in which the God of Israel is set fort…
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 32:36
The Lord shall judge his people (cf. Psalms 135:14; 1 Peter 4:17). And repent himself for his servants; rather, and have compassion upon his servants. And there is none shut up, or left. The words rendered "shut up or l…
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 32:36-43
The final revelation of God's supremacy. In this inspired song—an epitome of the Bible—Moses looks adown the long vista of history, and discerns what will be the outcome of the whole, viz. to establish on a safe basis t…
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 32:37
The Lord would show his people the utter worthlessness of idols, and bring them to acknowledge him as the only true God. Their gods; the idols to which Israel had turned, the strange gods which they had foolishly and si…
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 32:39
See now that I am, even I am he. The Hebrew is more expressive, See now that I, I am; LXX; ἴδετε ἴδετε ὅτι ἐγώ εἰμι (cf. Isaiah 41:4; Isaiah 48:12; John 8:24, John 18:5). Their own experience of the utter impot…
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 32:42
My sword shall devour flesh; literally, shall eat flesh; "the edge of the sword is called its mouth, because, like a mouth, it is said to eat and devour" (Gesenius). From the beginning of revenges upon the enemy. Differ…
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 32:43
"As this song commenced with an appeal to heaven and earth to give glory to the Lord (Deuteronomy 32:1-3), so it very suitably closes with an appeal to the heathen to rejoice with his people on account of the acts of th…
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 32:44-47
Religion a reality. The bulk of men treat religion as if it were a fancy or a myth. They deem it useful for the sick, the aged, and the dying. But for the healthful man and the active man of business it is voted a bore.…
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 32:44-47
Moses, having composed this song, came, accompanied by Joshua, and they together spoke it in the hearing of the people; after which Moses took occasion to urge upon them anew the importance of keeping the commandments o…
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 32:44
Hoshea the son of Nun. Moses invariably writes this name Jehoshuah (Jehovah is help; cf. Numbers 13:1-33; Deuteronomy 31:3, Deuteronomy 31:7, Deuteronomy 31:14, Deuteronomy 31:20, etc.). The use of Hoshea here is due to…
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 32:44-47
Life at stake! This paragraph-concerning which Keil is probably right in his surmise, that it proceeds from an editor's hand—sets before us in a quiet and incidental way, one of the most important transitions Israel had…
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 32:46
(Cf. Deuteronomy 6:7; Deuteronomy 11:19.)
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 32:47
Your life. The doing or not doing of God's will, the obeying or not obeying of God's Word, is a matter of life and death to us. This is the simple and solemn and uniform testimony of Scripture from its first page to its…
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 32:47
It is not a vain thing for you; because it is your life; these are not mere empty words; they are of vital import (cf. Deuteronomy 30:20).
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 32:48-52
On the day on which Moses rehearsed this song in the hearing of the people, his death was announced to him by God, and the command was again given to him to ascend Mount Nebo, thence to survey the Promised Land, and the…