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Artwork for Turn Northward

Deuteronomy 2:1-3:29

Turn Northward

Lyrics · Deuteronomy

Turn Northward

Deuteronomy 2:1-3:29

Lyrics

About this song

About this song

This song belongs to the Deuteronomy collection. One recording is available to play here, with the complete lyrics below.

Bible book
Deuteronomy
Collection
Deuteronomy
Musical styles
World Music
[Verse 1] Years circled Seir until the former fighting men were gone, Then the word came through the desert: "You have compassed long enough." Edom, Moab, Ammon held the portions God had given, Israel bought their food and water, honoring the boundary. [Pre-Chorus] Thirty-eight years crossed the Zered, And the condemned generation passed. [Chorus] Turn northward, the circling days are over, Cross the Arnon, let the nations hear the fear. The road that seemed to wander had an appointed ending, And the eastern kingdoms waited for the hand of God to clear. [Verse 2] Moses sent to Sihon with a peaceful highway plea, But the hardened king came fighting and was given to defeat. City after city yielded, livestock became spoil, Yet Ammon's line remained untouched according to the word. [Bridge] Og came from Bashan, giant king with iron bed, But no wall and no great body could resist what God had said. Reuben, Gad, and half Manasseh took the country east, Yet promised to cross armed until their brothers entered peace. [Final Chorus] Turn northward, the circling days are over, Cross the Arnon, let the nations hear the fear. Moses saw the land from Pisgah but would never cross the river, So he strengthened Joshua for the road that now was near. [Outro] The wandering turned north, And the promise came in sight.

Named in this songMoses

About the passage

Deuteronomy 2: Borders Israel is forbidden to cross

Israel's route toward Canaan is marked as much by forbidden territory as by conquered territory. Edom, Moab, and Ammon each stand behind boundaries Israel is not permitted to erase, because the LORD has already granted those lands to others. The notices about Emims, Horims, Zamzummims, and other displaced peoples also weaken the old terror of giants without pretending such peoples were imaginary. After the condemned generation passes, the command changes at the Arnon. Sihon's kingdom is now designated for Israel, even though Moses first offers peaceful passage and payment for supplies. Sihon's refusal is followed by defeat. Yet the chapter ends by naming the Ammonite land Israel did not touch. Victory does not create an unlimited claim. The God who gives one territory can forbid another.

Study Deuteronomy 2 in depth

Deuteronomy 3: A conquered kingdom and a crossing denied

The defeat of Og expands Israel's eastern victories and directly answers the old terror of high walls and giant peoples. Sixty fortified cities fall, and the conquered territory is then measured, named, and assigned rather than left as a vague trophy. Reuben, Gad, and half Manasseh receive land east of Jordan, but their rest does not release their fighting men from helping the other tribes reach theirs. Moses turns these victories into Joshua's preparation: what he has already seen becomes the basis for courage about what remains. The chapter then narrows from national conquest to one denied personal request. Moses asks to cross and see the good land, but he is told to stop asking. He may look from Pisgah. Joshua will lead the people in.

Study Deuteronomy 3 in depth