Explanation: Most of Deuteronomy 32 is a song which might be called the national anthem of Israel. This National Song will be remembered and sung even in the last days (Revelation 15:3). It set forth the contrast between the consistent goodness of God to Israel and their inconstant love toward him. The song was introduced in the previous chapter. Adam Clarke, commenting on Deuteronomy 31:19, where this song is first mentioned, noted that "Things which were of great importance and of common concern were, among the ancients, put into verse, as this was found the best method of keeping them in remembrance, especially in those times when writing was little practiced. Even prose was sometimes sung. The history of Herodotus was divided into Nine books, and each inscribed with the name of one of the Nine Muses, because these books were anciently sung. Homer is reported to have sung his poems through different Greek cities. Aristotle observes that anciently the people sung their laws. And Cicero observes that it was a custom among the ancient Romans to sing the praises of their heroes at the public festivals. This was the case among the northern inhabitants of Europe, particularly in Ireland and Scotland; hence the Gaelic poetry of Ossian and others. See Dodd; and see the note on Exodus 15:1, where the subject is largely treated."
     The song begins with a proclamation of the name of the LORD and his greatness (1-3). He is a Rock, perfect, just, true, and without iniquity (4). By contrast, Israel is corrupt -- a perverse and crooked generation. "Do you thus repay the LORD, O foolish people and unwise," asks the prophet? He made them and established them. He even set the boundaries of all the other nations in accord with the number of the children of Israel because they were his inheritance (5-9). The LORD found Israel in the desert, led him, instructed him, and kept him as the apple (pupil, or light) of his eye. He bore them on eagle's wings; and there was no strange god with them. He set him on the high places of the earth and gave him honey out of the rock, giving him butter, milk, fat, wheat, and wine (10-14). But they waxed fat and lightly esteemed God, sacrificing unto devils, forgetting the God who formed them (15-18). The LORD abhorred them for this and said he would hide his face from them. In his jealousy he would provoke them to jealousy by a foolish nation (i.e., the Gentiles -- Romans 10:19; Romans 11:11), for his anger was kindled (19-22). He would send mischief upon them -- hunger, heat, and bitter destruction -- with beasts and serpents -- with sword and terror upon young and old. But, to stop the bragging of the LORD's enemies, the LORD would refrain from utterly scattering them and causing them to be forgotten (23-27). They were a nation which was devoid of counsel and without understanding (literally,"with nothing of understanding"). If they were wise and considered their end, their enemies could not chase them by the thousands using a mere handful of warriors. But their enemies prospered because Israel's Rock sold them and shut them up: 'For the rock of the heathen is not a deliverer like the Rock of Israel;' and their enemies were filled with poison and venom -- bringers of death (28-33). But, says the LORD, powerful and dangerous though their enemies were, vengeance belongs to the LORD, and the foot of Israel's enemies would slide in due time. And when Israel is shut up and powerless, the LORD will ask them where are their gods, their rock in whom they trusted, who ate and drank of their sacrifices (34-38). And then they will see that God is the only god -- able to kill and make alive, to wound and to heal, and no one can deliver anyone from his hand. And he will take vengeance on his enemies and devour them with judgment (39-42). So, "Rejoice," says the song, because the LORD will avenge his servants and be merciful to his land and to his people (43).
     When the song had been sung, Moses said to Israel, "Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day;" and command your children to obey them because it will prolong your days in the promised Land (44-47). So, having sung this song and having said these words, Moses received a commandment from the LORD to go to the mountain where he would die for his trespasses, where he would see the Promised Land but would not enter (48-52).

     ⁴⁸ And the LORD spake unto Moses that selfsame day, saying, ⁴⁹ Get thee up into this mountain Abarim, unto mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab, that is over against Jericho; and behold the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel for a possession: ⁵⁰ And die in the mount whither thou goest up, and be gathered unto thy people; as Aaron thy brother died in mount Hor, and was gathered unto his people: ⁵¹ Because ye trespassed against me among the children of Israel at the waters of Meribah-Kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin; because ye sanctified me not in the midst of the children of Israel. ⁵² Yet thou shalt see the land before thee; but thou shalt not go thither unto the land which I give the children of Israel.

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