deuteronomy-32:1-3-asv

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 32:1

Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth , the words of my mouth. This song is prefaced and introduced in a very grand and pompous manner, calling on the heavens and earth to give attention; by which they themselves may be meant, by a "prosopopaeia", a figure frequently used in Scripture, when things of great moment and importance are spoken of; and these are called upon to hearken, either to rebuke the stupidity and inattention of men, or to show that these would shed... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 32:2

My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew ,.... Which some, as Aben Ezra, take to be a prayer or wish, that the doctrine spoken by him might fall upon men like rain and dew on the earth, penetrate into their hearts, and influence them, and produce good effects there; but the words rather seem to be a prophecy of what would be: and by his "doctrine" and "speech", which signify the same thing, is meant, not his law, which was fiery, this cooling, like rain and dew;... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 32:1

On the inimitable excellence of this ode much has been written by commentators, critics, and poets - and it is allowed by the best judges to contain a specimen of almost every species of excellence in composition. It is so thoroughly poetic that even the dull Jews themselves found they could not write it in the prose form; and hence it is distinguished as poetry in every Hebrew Bible by being written in its own hemistichs or short half lines, which is the general form of the Hebrew poetry;... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 32:2

My doctrine - לקחי likchi , from לקח lakach , to take, carry away; to attract or gain over the heart by eloquence or persuasive speech. Hence the Septuagint translate the word αποφθεγμα , an apophthegm , a sententious and weighty saying, for the regulation of the moral conduct such, properly, are the sayings in this inimitable ode. Shall drop as the rain - It shall come drop by drop as the shower, beginning slowly and distinctly, but increasing more and more till the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 32:1

Verse 1 1.Give ear, O ye heavens. Moses commences in a strain of magnificence, lest the people should disdain this song with their usual pride, or even reject it altogether, being exasperated by its severe censures and reproaches. For we well know how the world naturally longs to be flattered, and that no strain can be gratifying to it unless it tickles and soothes the ear with praise. But Moses here not only inveighs bitterly against the vices of the people, but with the utmost possible... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 32:2

Verse 2 2My doctrine shall drop as the rain. Some, as I think improperly, here resolve the future tense into the optative mood, (248) for in this splendid eulogium he rather celebrates, in order to commend his doctrine, the fruitfulness (249) which is actually imparted to it by the Holy Spirit, than asks for it to be given to him; and my readers must at once perceive that such a request would have been by no means seasonable. He therefore compares his speech to rain or dew, as if he had said... 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 32:1

EXPOSITION SONG OF MOSES AND ANNOUNCEMENT OF HIS DEATH . In accordance with the Divine injunction, Moses composed an ode, which he recited in the hearing of the people, and committed to writing, to remain with them as a witness for God against them. With this end in view, the ode is directed principally to a contrasting of the unchanging faithfulness of the Almighty with the anticipated perversity and unfaithfulness of his people. The poem may be divided into six... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Deuteronomy 32:1-6

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 32:1

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 32:2

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 32:1

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 32:2

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 32:1

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 32:2

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

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 32:1

Group of Brands