Deuteronomy 31:21

21 And when many troubles and afflictions come to them, this song will testify against them, because^[a] their descendants will not have forgotten it. For I know what they are prone to do,^[b] even before I bring them into the land I swore [to give them]."

Deuteronomy 31:21 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 31:21

And it shall come to pass, when many evils and troubles are
befallen them
As did in the times of the judges, in the Babylonish captivity, and do now in their present exile:

that this song shall testify against them as a witness;
which so clearly points at their sins, with all their aggravated circumstances, and describes so fully their calamities, distresses, and punishment for them:

for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed;
which shows that it respects time to come, their later posterity, whose memory of this song would be conjured up by the evils that should come upon them for their sins; nor is it forgotten by them to this day, who acknowledge there are some things in it now fulfilled or fulfilling in them:

for I know their imagination which they go about even now:
or are "making" ^F3; forming and framing within themselves, there being a secret inclination in their minds to idolatry, which were working and contriving schemes to bring it about, and set it up; and this, God, the searcher of hearts, knew full well, and that in process of time this evil imagination would break forth into act, in an open and flagrant manner:

before I have brought thee into the land which I sware;
to their fathers, to give it to them for an inheritance, as is suggested in ( Deuteronomy 31:20 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F3 (hve) "faciens", Montanus; "quam facit", Pagninus.

Deuteronomy 31:21 In-Context

19 Therefore write down this song for yourselves and teach it to the Israelites; have them recite it, so that this song may be a witness for Me against the Israelites.

20 When I bring them into the land I swore to [give] their fathers, [a land] flowing with milk and honey, they will eat their fill and prosper. They will turn to other gods and worship them, despising Me and breaking My covenant.

21 And when many troubles and afflictions come to them, this song will testify against them, because their descendants will not have forgotten it. For I know what they are prone to do, even before I bring them into the land I swore [to give them]."

22 So Moses wrote down this song on that day and taught it to the Israelites.

23 The Lord commissioned Joshua son of Nun, "Be strong and courageous, for you will bring the Israelites into the land I swore to them, and I will be with you."

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit because the mouths of
• [b]. Or know the plans they are devising