17 So I took the two tablets and threw them out of my hands, breaking them to pieces before your eyes.
17 And I took the two tables, and cast them out of my two hands, and brake them before your eyes.
17 So I took hold of the two tablets and threw them out of my two hands and broke them before your eyes.
17 I held the two stone slabs high and threw them down, smashing them to bits as you watched.
17 Then I took the two tablets and threw them out of my two hands and broke them before your eyes.
17 So I took the stone tablets and threw them to the ground, smashing them before your eyes.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Deuteronomy 9:17
Commentary on Deuteronomy 9:7-29
(Read Deuteronomy 9:7-29)
That the Israelites might have no pretence to think that God brought them to Canaan for their righteousness, Moses shows what a miracle of mercy it was, that they had not been destroyed in the wilderness. It is good for us often to remember against ourselves, with sorrow and shame, our former sins; that we may see how much we are indebted to free grace, and may humbly own that we never merited any thing but wrath and the curse at God's hand. For so strong is our propensity to pride, that it will creep in under one pretence or another. We are ready to fancy that our righteousness has got for us the special favour of the Lord, though in reality our wickedness is more plain than our weakness. But when the secret history of every man's life shall be brought forth at the day of judgment, all the world will be proved guilty before God. At present, One pleads for us before the mercy-seat, who not only fasted, but died upon the cross for our sins; through whom we may approach, though self-condemned sinners, and beseech for undeserved mercy and for eternal life, as the gift of God in Him. Let us refer all the victory, all the glory, and all the praise, to Him who alone bringeth salvation.