Deuteronomy 32:3-4
For I will proclaim the name of the LORD; ascribe greatness to our God! “The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Moses is urging Israel to not just hear about God's greatness, but to actively declare it, using the very name "LORD" which signifies His covenant faithfulness. This isn't just about acknowledging God's power, but about attributing His supreme worth and majesty to Him.
Moses is concluding his final address to the Israelites before their entry into the Promised Land, delivering a powerful song that recounts God's faithfulness and Israel's repeated unfaithfulness. This song serves as a solemn warning and testament, urging them to remember God's past actions and their covenant obligations. The preceding verses have laid out the song's context, calling heaven and earth to witness, and the verse itself emphasizes the importance of proclaiming and honoring God's name, setting the stage for the song's detailed account of God's perfect nature and Israel's subsequent corruption.
Moses is about to deliver a powerful song, a message for all of Israel. But before he dives into the warnings and blessings, he makes a powerful declaration. What does it mean to 'publish' God's name?
The verse begins with Moses declaring, 'I will proclaim the name of the LORD.' This isn't just about mentioning God's name; it's about revealing who He is. The 'name' of God in Scripture signifies His character, His attributes, and His reputation.
Moses is essentially saying, 'I am going to declare the very essence of who God is. I'm going to reveal His perfections, His power, and His faithfulness.' This proclamation is the foundation for everything that follows in the song – the warnings, the judgments, and the promises.
It's a call to public declaration, to make known God's unique identity and worth to all who will hear.
After Moses declares his intention to proclaim God's name, he immediately turns to the people with a command: 'ascribe greatness to our God!' What does it mean to greatness to God?
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The second part of the verse is a direct command: 'ascribe ye greatness to our God!' This isn't about God needing greatness; He already possesses it inherently. Instead, it's about humanity's response to His revealed character.
To 'ascribe greatness' means to recognize, acknowledge, and declare God's supreme worth and majesty. It's an act of worship and a declaration of His supreme value. It means understanding that He is above all, all-powerful, and all-knowing.
This call is for Israel, but it extends to all who recognize Him as their God. It's a response to the proclamation of His name – when we see who God is, we are called to give Him the highest praise and acknowledge His unparalleled greatness.
Understand the original words
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal, covenantal name of the self-existent God of Israel, revealed to Moses, emphasizing His faithfulness to His promises.
tsur · Hebrew Noun
A metaphor for God signifying His unchangeable nature, stability, refuge, and strength; He is the immovable foundation of faith.
tamim · Hebrew Adjective
The state of being complete, blameless, or without defect; used of God, it denotes His moral and functional perfection.
mishpat · Hebrew Noun
The quality of being morally right, fair, and impartial in judgment; it is a fundamental attribute of God’s government of the world.
emunah · Hebrew Noun
Refers to steadiness, trustworthiness, and reliability; it describes God’s consistency in keeping His covenant promises despite human failure.
avel · Hebrew Noun
A deviation from the right path or the divine standard; it implies injustice, wrong-doing, or moral perversion.
This song is delivered by Moses at the very cusp of Israel's entry into the Promised Land, serving as a final, powerful reminder of God's faithfulness and their covenant responsibilities before they faced new challenges and temptations.
c. 1446 BC
Giving of the Law at Sinai
Following their miraculous exodus from Egypt, the Israelites received the Law from God at Mount Sinai, establishing their covenant relationship with Him.
c. 1406 BC
Spies Sent into Canaan
The Israelites, after 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, sent spies into the Promised Land, leading to a crisis of faith and further divine judgment.
c. 1406 BC— this verse
Moses' Farewell Speeches
As the Israelites prepared to enter Canaan, Moses delivered his final instructions and warnings, recorded in Deuteronomy, culminating in this song.
c. 1406 BC
Moses' Death
Moses ascended Mount Nebo to view the Promised Land but died there, having passed leadership to Joshua.
c. 1406-1350 BC
Conquest of Canaan
Under Joshua's leadership, the Israelites entered and conquered Canaan, establishing their presence in the land.
This passage echoes the call in Deuteronomy 32:3 for all nations to 'ascribe greatness' to God, directing them to 'ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name' and 'worship him in holy attire.'
Isaiah 12:4This verse directly relates to proclaiming God's name and greatness, saying, 'Give thanks to the LORD, call on him, make known among the peoples what he has done; sing to the LORD, for he has done glorious things; let this be known throughout the earth.'
1 Chronicles 16:28-29This passage is a parallel exhortation to 'ascribe glory and strength' to the LORD, urging families of nations to bring offerings and worship in the splendor of his holiness, similar to the call for greatness in Deuteronomy 32:3.
John 17:6Jesus prays, 'I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word.' This reflects the idea of 'publishing the name of the LORD' by revealing God's true character and nature.
calvinDeuteronomy 32:1-52: "Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth."
They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities: and I will move them to jealousy with those which are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation.
Ipsi ad zelum provocaverunt me, in eo quod non est Deus, ad iracundiam me provocaverunt in vanitatibus suis: et ego ad zelum provocabo eos in eo qui non…
ellicottDeuteronomy 32:3: "Because I will publish the name of the LORD: ascribe ye greatness unto our God."
(3)—“For (or when) it is the Name JEHOVAH that I utter; Give ye greatness to our God.”
Moses is urging Israel to not just hear about God's greatness, but to actively declare it, using the very name "LORD" which signifies His covenant faithfulness. This isn't just about acknowledging God's power, but about attributing His supreme worth and majesty to Him.
Moses is concluding his final address to the Israelites before their entry into the Promised Land, delivering a powerful song that recounts God's faithfulness and Israel's repeated unfaithfulness. This song serves as a solemn warning and testament, urging them to remember God's past actions and their covenant obligations. The preceding verses have laid out the song's context, calling heaven and earth to witness, and the verse itself emphasizes the importance of proclaiming and honoring God's name, setting the stage for the song's detailed account of God's perfect nature and Israel's subsequent corruption.
Moses is concluding his final address to the Israelites before their entry into the Promised Land, delivering a powerful song that recounts God's faithfulness and Israel's repeated unfaithfulness. This song serves as a solemn warning and testament, urging them to remember God's past actions and their covenant obligations. The preceding verses have laid out the song's context, calling heaven and earth to witness, and the verse itself emphasizes the importance of proclaiming and honoring God's name, setting the stage for the song's detailed account of God's perfect nature and Israel's subsequent corruption.
"For I will proclaim the name of the LORD; ascribe greatness to our God! “The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he." — Moses is urging Israel to not just hear about God's greatness, but to actively declare it, using the very name "LORD" which signifies His covenant faithfulness. This isn't just about acknowledgin…
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