OET interlinear DEU 32:38

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / irony

אֲשֶׁ֨ר חֵ֤לֶב זְבָחֵ֨י⁠מוֹ֙ יֹאכֵ֔לוּ יִשְׁתּ֖וּ יֵ֣ין נְסִיכָ֑⁠ם

(Some words not found in UHB: which/who fat_of their_sacrifices_of,their ate drank wine_of drink-offering_of,their rise_up and,let,them_help_you(pl) let_it_be over,you(pl) shelter )

Yahweh actually means to communicate the opposite of the literal meaning of what he is saying here. He is speaking of the idols as if they were living beings who ate the fat of their sacrifices and drank the wine of their libations, when he really means that these idols are lifeless and powerless. If a speaker of your language would not do that, you could translate the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [who never ate the fat of your sacrifices or drank the wine of your libations]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / irony

יָק֨וּמוּ֙ וְ⁠יַעְזְרֻ⁠כֶ֔ם יְהִ֥י עֲלֵי⁠כֶ֖ם סִתְרָֽה

rise_up and,let,them_help_you(pl) let_it_be over,you(pl) shelter

Yahweh actually means to communicate the opposite of the literal meaning of what he is saying here. If a speaker of your language would not do that, you could translate the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [But they will not rise up and help you; they cannot be protection for you]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

יָק֨וּמוּ֙ וְ⁠יַעְזְרֻ⁠כֶ֔ם

rise_up and,let,them_help_you(pl)

Yahweh is using rise up as a common expression of the culture to mean “take action” or “come to your aid.” He is not saying the false gods will literally stand up from a seated position. If this expression does not have that meaning for your readers, you could use a comparable expression from your language that does have that meaning, or you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [Let them come to your aid and help you] or [Let them take action and help you]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

יְהִ֥י עֲלֵי⁠כֶ֖ם סִתְרָֽה

let_it_be over,you(pl) shelter

Here Yahweh is speaking of the false gods as if they were a shelter that could physically protect the Israelites. He means that these gods should be the ones to help and protect them, since the Israelites worshiped them. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [let them be the ones who protect you] or [let them keep you safe]