Deuteronomy 31:21

21 and many terrible disasters will come on them. But this song will still be sung, and it will stand as evidence against them. Even now, before I take them into the land that I promised to give them, I know what they are thinking."

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 "Now, write down this song. Teach it to the people of Israel, so that it will stand as evidence against them.

20 I will take them into this rich and fertile land, as I promised their ancestors. There they will have all the food they want, and they will live comfortably. But they will turn away and worship other gods. They will reject me and break my covenant,

21 and many terrible disasters will come on them. But this song will still be sung, and it will stand as evidence against them. Even now, before I take them into the land that I promised to give them, I know what they are thinking."

22 That same day Moses wrote down the song and taught it to the people of Israel.

23 Then the Lord spoke to Joshua son of Nun and told him, "Be confident and determined. You will lead the people of Israel into the land that I promised them, and I will be with you."