Outside, the sword will take their children, and inside, terror will strike the young man and the young woman, the infant and the gray-haired man.
The method of this song follows the method of the predictions in the foregoing chapter, and therefore, after the revolt of Israel from God, described in the foregoing verses, here follow immediately the resolves of divine Justice concerning them; we deceive ourselves if we think that God will be thus mocked by a foolish faithless people, that play fast and loose with him. I.
Commenting on Deuteronomy 32:19-25
I said,.... Or could have said, or might have said; that is, determined and resolved, as it was in his power, and in right and justice might have done what follows: I would scatter them into corners; which does not fitly express the sense of the word used, and besides this was what was done; it is notorious that the Jews were and are scattered...
The sword without, and terror within, shall destroy both the young man and the virgin, the suckling [also] with the man of gray hairs. (o) They shall be slain both in the field and at home.