Deuteronomy 10:21

KJV

He [is] thy praise, and he [is] thy God, that hath done for thee these great and terrible things, which thine eyes have seen.

KJV (with Strong's)

He is thy praise {H8416}, and he is thy God {H430}, that hath done {H6213} for thee these great {H1419} and terrible things {H3372}, which thine eyes {H5869} have seen {H7200}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He is your praise, and he is your God, who has done for you these great and awesome things, which you have seen with your own eyes.

Berean Standard Bible

He is your praise and He is your God, who has done for you these great and awesome wonders that your eyes have seen.

American Standard Version

He is thy praise, and he is thy God, that hath done for thee these great and terrible things, which thine eyes have seen.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 10:21 stands as a profound declaration of Yahweh's unique identity and His unparalleled relationship with Israel. Moses reminds the people that God Himself is the ultimate object and source of their praise, their exclusive deity, and the one who has performed awe-inspiring, magnificent deeds that they have personally witnessed. This verse encapsulates the foundational truth that Israel's worship and devotion are a direct, compelled response to God's inherent character and His powerful, benevolent intervention in their history, establishing the basis for their covenant fidelity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Moses' second major discourse in the Book of Deuteronomy, delivered on the plains of Moab as the Israelites prepared to enter the Promised Land. This discourse (chapters 5-26) functions as a restatement and exposition of the Law given at Mount Sinai, emphasizing the covenant stipulations and the call to obedience. Specifically, Deuteronomy 10:12-22 serves as a powerful exhortation to covenant faithfulness, immediately following Moses' recounting of God's mercy in renewing the covenant despite Israel's egregious sin with the golden calf. Moses highlights God's grace in restoring the broken tablets and calls the people to a renewed commitment, famously symbolized by the command to [circumcise the foreskin of their heart](/deuteronomy/10-16 "Deuteronomy 10:16 - Circumcision of the Heart"). Within this context of remembrance, divine grace, and urgent exhortation to obedience, verse 21 provides the ultimate rationale for Israel's devotion: God's unparalleled character and His mighty, awe-inspiring deeds on their behalf.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Israelites stood on the threshold of Canaan, a land teeming with polytheistic cultures that worshipped numerous deities associated with natural phenomena, fertility, and war. In stark contrast to these surrounding nations, Deuteronomy 10:21 emphatically declares the singular, exclusive identity of Yahweh as Israel's God. This declaration served as a critical reminder to a generation that had witnessed God's power in the wilderness but was about to face the temptations of idolatry in the Promised Land. The "great and terrible things" refer specifically to the foundational events of their national identity: the miraculous [Exodus from Egypt](/exodus/12 "Exodus 12 - The Passover and Exodus"), the dramatic [parting of the Red Sea](/exodus/14 "Exodus 14 - The Parting of the Red Sea"), the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai accompanied by fire and thunder, and God's sustained provision and protection throughout their forty years in the wilderness. These were not ancient myths but recent, lived experiences that cemented God's unique power and faithfulness in the collective memory of the nation, demanding an exclusive and reverent response.
* **Key Themes:** Deuteronomy 10:21 powerfully articulates several core themes central to the book and Israel's theology. Firstly, it underscores the **exclusivity and uniqueness of Yahweh** as Israel's God, distinguishing Him from all other deities worshipped by surrounding nations. This monotheistic declaration forms the bedrock of Israel's covenant identity. Secondly, it highlights **God as the ultimate object and source of praise**, asserting that He is inherently worthy of all adoration not merely for what He gives, but for who He is and what He has demonstrably done. Thirdly, the verse emphasizes **God's mighty and awe-inspiring acts** ("great and terrible things") as the tangible evidence of His power, faithfulness, and benevolent intervention in history. These acts, such as the [crossing of the Red Sea](/exodus/14-21 "Exodus 14:21 - The Parting of the Red Sea") or the [giving of the Law at Sinai](/exodus/19 "Exodus 19 - God's Appearance at Sinai"), serve as the compelling foundation for Israel's worship and obedience. Finally, the verse implicitly calls for **covenant loyalty and unwavering devotion** from Israel, recognizing that their praise and worship are the only fitting response to such an incomparable God and His unparalleled goodness.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Praise (Hebrew, _tehillah'_):** This word signifies not merely an act of praise, but the very object or subject of praise. When it says "He is thy praise," it means God Himself is the reason, the substance, and the ultimate goal of Israel's worship and adoration. Their identity as a people who praise is intrinsically linked to Him; He is the one who evokes and deserves all praise.
* **God (Hebrew, _Elohim'_):** While `Elohim` is a general term for deity, in this context, coupled with the preceding "He," it refers specifically to Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. Its use here emphasizes His divine nature, supreme power, and absolute sovereignty, setting Him apart as the one true God in contrast to the false gods of the nations. It reinforces His unique position as Israel's exclusive deity.
* **Terrible (Hebrew, _nora'_):** Derived from the root `yare` (to fear), `nora'` does not mean dreadful or evil in the modern sense. Instead, it conveys the idea of "awe-inspiring," "fear-inducing" (in a reverential sense), "majestic," or "dreadful" in the sense of being overwhelmingly grand and powerful. It describes acts that evoke wonder, profound reverence, and holy fear, highlighting God's immense power, holiness, and authority. This is the same root word often used for the "fear of the LORD," which is understood as reverent awe and submission to His majesty.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He [is] thy praise":** This clause declares God as the ultimate object and source of Israel's praise. It's not just that God *receives* praise, but that He *is* the very reason for it, the one who embodies all that is praiseworthy. Israel's identity as a worshipping people is defined by Him.
* **"and he [is] thy God":** This emphasizes the unique, exclusive, and intimate covenant relationship between Yahweh and Israel. In a world of polytheism, this declaration underscored monotheism and Israel's singular obligation to worship only Him, recognizing Him as their sovereign Lord and provider.
* **"that hath done for thee these great and terrible things":** This refers to the magnificent and awe-inspiring acts of salvation and judgment that God performed on behalf of Israel. "Great" (גָּדֹל, _gadol_) signifies the immense scale and significance of these deeds, while "terrible" (נוֹרָא, _nora'_) highlights their capacity to evoke profound reverence, wonder, and holy fear due to God's overwhelming power and majesty. These include the Exodus, the parting of the Red Sea, the giving of the Law at Sinai, and divine provision in the wilderness.
* **"which thine eyes have seen":** This crucial phrase underscores the eyewitness nature of these events. They were not distant myths or legends but witnessed realities experienced by the generation to whom Moses was speaking. This personal experience of God's power and faithfulness served as the undeniable foundation for their faith, obedience, and compelled praise.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 10:21 employs several effective **literary devices** to amplify its message. The verse opens with a striking example of **parallelism**, specifically **synonymous parallelism**, in "He is thy praise, and he is thy God." This structure reinforces the identity of God by presenting two closely related attributes, emphasizing His dual role as the object of worship and the exclusive deity of Israel. The **repetition** of the pronoun "He" at the beginning of each clause further accentuates God as the sole subject and focus of the declaration, underscoring His singular importance. The phrase "great and terrible things" utilizes a form of **hyperbole** or intense emphasis, not to exaggerate falsely, but to convey the extraordinary, overwhelming, and utterly unique nature of God's deeds. Finally, the consistent use of the possessive "thy" ("thy praise," "thy God," "for thee," "thine eyes") throughout the verse is a powerful instance of **covenant language**, highlighting the intimate, personal, and exclusive relationship God has established with Israel, compelling their response.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 10:21 serves as a foundational declaration of God's character and the nature of true worship. It teaches that God is inherently worthy of all praise, not merely for what He provides, but for who He is—the sovereign, unique, and powerful God who actively intervenes in history. His "great and terrible things" are not just historical events but ongoing demonstrations of His faithfulness and power, establishing the very basis for a people's relationship with Him. This verse underscores that genuine praise flows from a recognition of God's unmatched majesty and His saving acts, compelling a response of exclusive devotion and reverent awe. It connects the past acts of God to the present call for obedience, reminding Israel (and believers today) that our worship is a grateful and compelled response to His revealed glory and goodness.

* [Psalm 145:3](/psalms/145-3 "Psalm 145:3 - Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised")
* [Isaiah 43:21](/isaiah/43-21 "Isaiah 43:21 - The people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise")
* [Jeremiah 10:6-7](/jeremiah/10-6-7 "Jeremiah 10:6-7 - No one like you, LORD")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 10:21 provides a timeless blueprint for our relationship with God. Just as Israel was called to remember and respond to God's mighty acts, we too are summoned to recall His unwavering faithfulness throughout history and in our personal lives. Our praise should not be conditional or self-serving, but an overflowing response to who God is—our sovereign Lord, our redeemer, and the one who performs "great and terrible things" on our behalf. This verse challenges us to cultivate a posture of reverent awe and gratitude, allowing the magnitude of God's character and deeds to shape our worship, trust, and obedience. It calls us to exclusive devotion, reminding us that the God who delivered Israel is the same God who is active in our world today, capable of delivering, sustaining, and guiding us through every challenge. Our worship, therefore, becomes a living testimony to His unparalleled power and love, compelling us to live lives that reflect His glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does remembering God's "great and terrible things" (His awe-inspiring acts) in your life deepen your praise and commitment to Him?**
* **In what ways might we be tempted to seek praise, security, or identity from sources other than God, and how does this verse challenge such allegiances?**
* **What specific "great and terrible things" (awe-inspiring acts) has God done in your personal history or in the history of the church that compel you to worship Him with exclusive devotion?**

### FAQ
**What does "terrible" mean in this context, and why is it used to describe God's actions?**

Answer: In Deuteronomy 10:21, the word translated "terrible" is the Hebrew `nora'` (נוֹרָא), derived from the root `yare` (יָרֵא), which means "to fear." However, in this biblical context, "terrible" does not carry the modern English connotation of dreadful, evil, or unpleasant. Instead, it signifies "awe-inspiring," "majestic," "fear-inducing" in a reverential sense, or "dreadful" in the sense of being overwhelmingly powerful and grand. It describes acts that evoke profound wonder, reverence, and holy fear. God's actions are described as "terrible" because they are so immense, so powerful, and so beyond human comprehension that they naturally inspire a deep, respectful awe and submission. Examples of these "terrible" (awe-inspiring) acts include the [parting of the Red Sea](/exodus/14-21 "Exodus 14:21 - The Parting of the Red Sea"), the dramatic [theophany at Mount Sinai](/exodus/19 "Exodus 19 - God's Appearance at Sinai") with thunder and lightning, and the miraculous provision of manna in the wilderness. These deeds demonstrated God's absolute sovereignty and power, compelling Israel to recognize Him as uniquely majestic and worthy of their exclusive worship and reverence.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 10:21 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The "great and terrible things" (awe-inspiring acts) that God performed for Israel in the Old Testament were but shadows and foretastes of the ultimate, most awe-inspiring act of salvation accomplished through His Son. Jesus Christ is the very embodiment of God's praise, the one through whom God's glory is most perfectly revealed. As the [Word made flesh](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word became flesh"), He is "thy God" in human form, the exact representation of the Father's being ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - The Radiance of God's Glory")). The incarnation, His sinless life, His atoning death on the cross, and His glorious resurrection are the supreme "great and terrible things" that God has done for humanity, far surpassing the Exodus in their redemptive power and scope. Through Christ, God has delivered us from the bondage of sin and death, established a new covenant, and provided access to His very presence. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), the one to whom all authority in heaven and on earth has been given ([Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - The Great Commission")). Therefore, our praise, like Israel's, is compelled by the magnificent, terrifyingly beautiful acts of God, now fully revealed and accomplished in the person and work of Jesus, to whom every knee will one day bow and every tongue confess that He is Lord ([Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9-11 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Jesus is Lord")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 17:14

Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou [art] my praise.

Psalms 106:21

They forgat God their saviour, which had done great things in Egypt;

Psalms 106:22

Wondrous works in the land of Ham, [and] terrible things by the Red sea.

Exodus 15:2

The LORD [is] my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he [is] my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him.

Revelation 21:23

And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb [is] the light thereof.

2 Samuel 7:23

And what one nation in the earth [is] like thy people, [even] like Israel, whom God went to redeem for a people to himself, and to make him a name, and to do for you great things and terrible, for thy land, before thy people, which thou redeemedst to thee from Egypt, [from] the nations and their gods?

Deuteronomy 4:32

For ask now of the days that are past, which were before thee, since the day that God created man upon the earth, and [ask] from the one side of heaven unto the other, whether there hath been [any such thing] as this great thing [is], or hath been heard like it?