OLD TESTAMENT TEXTS

Deuteronomy 8:7-18 is a sermon by Moses calling Israel to remember that their good life in the land is a gift from God. Psalm 65 is a hymn.

Deuteronomy 8:7-18 - "Giving Thanks"
Setting.   Deuteronomy 8 is part of a larger section of literature that includes chapters 6-8, in which Moses exhorts Israel to keep the law. This section looks at law from a number of different perspectives. Law is introduced with the promise of blessing in 6:1-3, and it is equated with love in 6:4-9 ("Love the LORD your God with all your heart."). Then law is examined in relationship to God's gift of the land in 6:10-8:20. Even though Israel's present life in the land is the prominent setting for these chapters, the perspective changes somewhat between 6:10-7:26 and 8:1-20.  Deuteronomy 6:1-7…