In Deuteronomy 29 and 30 God establishes an additional covenant with the Israelites. He reminds them of the provision He has provided them in the wilderness and in the conquering of land for the Reubenites, Gadites and part of Manasseh. He reminds them to keep the statutes He has established.

Then God acknowledges that even now there may be some who are turning away from Him. They are already turning toward other gods, but believe they will be safe. God informs them that He will single them out for punishment. Their lands and people will be destroyed. Then all will know that they turned away from God.

They will be taken form their land and sent into slavery in another. When these things happen to them they will remember the blessings and curses to which they agreed in the covenant and they will return to God. God promises to restore their fortunes and gather them together again to the land He has promised. God will move them to love Him with their heart, soul and might and they will again obey His commandments. God will destroy their enemies.

God says that He is setting life and death, blessings and curses before the people. He encourages them to choose life so that they and their descendants may live in love and obedience of the Lord.

These words are particularly poignant given the fact that they were compiled during and immediately after the time of the exile. The people were exiled because of their disobedience; they were restored because they chose life.

Psalm 36 opens with strong words regarding the wicked and their boldness to sin. But God’s steadfast love and faithfulness is over all. God is able to save all those who take refuge in Him. The psalmist ends by asking that God continue to love those who know Him and punish the wicked and arrogant.