NOTES for Deu 32:26-52

In the song whose words were given to Moses and Joshua at the Tabernacle, a sorrowful truth about the future is revealed to them. God's people will inevitably fall prey to self-deception and pride in their achievements. Almost every success will tempt them to claim the laurels of victory for themselves. This “psychological” trait—which in fact is sinful—is characteristic of nearly everyone: in a moment of danger God becomes our only salvation, but as soon as we receive that salvation, we instantly forget God. More than that, we take pride in our own talents and strength, cultivating our own personality. And when it is plainly impossible to attribute success to ourselves, we thank happy fortune—a pagan deity whom the Romans called Fortuna. There is only one way to combat such paganism within ourselves: to acknowledge that all our successes and victories come from God, and therefore to give thanks.