Dictionary Article

One of two archaic poems: the Blessing of Moses (Dt 33) and the Song of Moses (ch 32). The Song of the Sea (Ex 15) is set at a much earlier period of Moses’ life, while these two poems are virtually his “last will and testament.”

Moses had already written books of the Law as a witness against Israel, should they turn away from God. But the law itself required at least two witnesses to establish any charge (Dt 17:6). Moses was then commanded to write down the song as a further witness against Israel (31:19).

Show passage in OET: DEU 17:6

OET-RV DEU 17:6

6 Note that that person can only be executed if there’s at least two witnesses as evidence—no one can be put to death on the testimony of just one witness.

OET-LV DEU 17:6

6 On the_mouth _of two witnesses or three witnesses the_one_about _to _die he _will _be _put _to _death not he _will _be _put _to _death on the_mouth _of a _witness one.

Show passage in OET: DEU 31:19

OET-RV DEU 31:19

19 So now, write down this song and teach it to the Israelis. Make them memorise it so that it can become a witness for me against them.

OET-LV DEU 31:19

19 And_now write _down to/for_you(pl) DOM the_song (the)_this and_teach_it DOM the _people _of Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel) put_it in_mouth _of_their so _that it _may _become to/for_me the_song (the)_this (into)_a_witness on_the _people _of Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel).

Jump to OET DEU 17:6 section.

Jump to OET DEU 31:19 section.

The song is therefore a witness to the greatness and goodness of God, and in particular, his goodness to Israel (Dt 32:10-14). This grace underlines all the more the sinfulness of Israel’s response, which can only call forth the anger of God and consequent punishment. God will use “natural disasters,” wild beasts, and wars to carry out his purposes. Yet even this is not the end. God, in his grace, will turn his hand against Israel’s enemies instead, and rescue his own people (v 36).

Show passage in OET: DEU 32:10–14

OET-RV DEU 32:10

10 He found him in a land that was just wilderness,
⇔ ≈ and in the barren, howling desert.
⇔ He surrounded him and looked after him—
⇔ watched over him like a precious possession.

OET-RV DEU 32:11

11 Like an eagle stirs up its nest,
⇔ hovering over its young.
⇔ He spread his wings, then took him—
⇔ sitting him on top of his feathers.

OET-RV DEU 32:12

12 Yahweh alone led Yisrael (Israel),
⇔ ^ and there wasn’t any foreign god helping them.

OET-RV DEU 32:13

13 He helped Yisrael reach the hilltops,
⇔ and fed them the fruits of the countryside.
⇔ He nourished them with honey from the cliffs,
⇔ ≈ oil from the hardest rocks,

OET-RV DEU 32:14

14 yogurt from the cattle and milk from the flocks,
⇔ with fat of lambs, and rams from Bashan, and goats,
⇔ with plump wheat kernels,
⇔ and the juice of grapes that you drank as wine.

OET-LV DEU 32:10

10 He_found _it in_land wilderness and_in_a _wasteland a _howling a _desolate _place he_surrounded _it he_took _care _of _it he_guarded _it like_the _pupil _of his _eye _of_his.

OET-LV DEU 32:11

11 Like_an _eagle which_it _stirs _up nest _of_its over ones _of_its _young it _hovers it _spreads _out wings _of_its it_takes _it it_carries _it on pinion _of_its.

OET-LV DEU 32:12

12 YHWH alone he_guided _it and_there_was_not with_him/it a _god _of foreignness.

OET-LV DEU 32:13

13 He_caused _it _to _ride on the_high _places _of the_land and_it _ate fruits _of the_field and_he_made _it _suck honey from_a _rock and_oil from_flint _of rock.

OET-LV DEU 32:14

14 Curd[s]_of the_herd and_milk _of the_flock with fat _of lambs and_rams the _sons _of Bāshān and_goats with the_fat _of the_kidneys _of wheat and_blood _of grape[s] you _drank wine.

Show passage in OET: DEU 32:36

OET-RV DEU 32:36

36 Yes, Yahweh vindicates his people,
⇔ ≈ and has compassion on his servants,
⇔ because he’ll see that their power is gone,
⇔ and no one remains, either free or enslaved.

OET-LV DEU 32:36

36 If/because YHWH he _will _judge people _of_his and_on servants _of_his he _will _have _compassion if/because he _will _see if/because _that hand it _has _been _used _up and_there _not is _one _who _is_shut _up and_one _who_is_freed.

Jump to OET DEU 32:10–14 section.

Jump to OET DEU 32:36 section.

This song carries the consistent message of every great prophet of the OT, a message that Psalm 78 expresses in terms of Israel’s historical situations. The song outlines the very nature of God, so it is not strange that the song of heaven is “the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb” (Rv 15:3).

Tyndale Open Bible Dictionary