17 You shall diligently keep the commandments of Yahweh your God, and his testimonies, and his statutes, which he has commanded you.
*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.
Ye shall diligently keep, etc. - On this and the following verse see the note on Deuteronomy 6:3.
You shall diligently keep the commandments of the Lord your God,.... Not only the ten commands, but all others:
and his testimonies, and his statutes, which he hath commanded thee; those of a judicial and ceremonial kind.
Moses gives charge to keep God's commandments. Negligence will ruin us; but we cannot be saved without diligence. It is our interest, as well as our duty, to be religious. It will be our life. Godliness has the promise of the continuance and comfort of the life that now is, as far as it is for God's glory. It will be our righteousness. It is only through the Mediator we can be righteous before God. The knowledge of the spirituality and excellency of the holy law of God, is suited to show sinful man his need of a Saviour, and to prepare his heart to welcome a free salvation. The gospel honours the law, not only in the perfect obedience of the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ; but in that it is a plan for bringing back apostate rebels and enemies, by repentance, faith, forgiveness, and renewing grace, to love God above all things, even in this world; and in the world above, to love him perfectly, even as angels love him.
They were rather to observe all His commandments diligently, and do what was right and good in His eyes. The infinitive וגו להדף contains the further development of וגו ייטב למען: "so that He (Jehovah) thrust out all thine enemies before thee, as He hath spoken" (viz., Exodus 23:27., Deuteronomy 34:11).
Ye diligently keep - Negligence will ruin us: but we cannot be saved without diligence.
*More commentary available at chapter level.