Deuteronomy 29:19

“And it cometh to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, etc.] That is, the man before compared to a root bearing bitter herbs, when he should hear the curses pronounced by the law against such persons as himself: that he bless himself in his heart; inwardly pronounce himself blessed, thinking himself secure from the curse of the law, and flattering himself it will never reach him nor come upon him: saying, I shall have peace; all happiness and prosperity, in soul, body, and estate; inward peace of mind now, and eternal peace hereafter: though I walk in the imagination of my heart; in worshipping idols which he vainly and wickedly imagined to be gods; to the worship of which his…”

“Compare on the thought Jeremiah 23:17. The secret and presumptuous sinner is meant who flatters himself that all is well and will be well with him, since he follows his own devices and prospers. Compare Psalms 73:11 ff. To add drunkenness to thirst - The sense is probably: “Himself, drinking iniquity like water, Job 15:16, he corrupts and destroys others who are thirsting for it or prone to it.” The sense of the whole passage from Deuteronomy 29:16 onward to Deuteronomy 29:20 may be exhibited thus: “Ye have seen the abominations of idolatry among the pagan. Do you therefore look diligently that there be no secret idolater among you; a root of bitterness to all about him. Let there be no one,…”

“Of this curse - Of that oath where - in he swore he would keep covenant with God, and that with a curse pronounced against himself if he did not perform it. Bless himself - Flatter himself in his own eyes, with vain hopes, as if God did not mind such things, and either could not, or would not punish them. Peace - Safety and prosperity. My own heart - Though I do not follow God's command, but my own devices. To add drunkenness to thirst - The words may be rendered, to add thirst to drunkenness, and so the sense may be, that when he hath multiplied his sins, and made himself as it were drunk with them, yet he is not satisfied therewith, but still whets his appetite, and provokes his thirst…”

“29:19 An attitude of nonchalance or smugness regarding God’s judgment would lead to utter ruin.”

“this curse: Deu 29:12; Gen 2:17 that he bless: Deu 17:2; Num 15:30, Num 15:39; Psa 10:4-6, Psa 10:11, Psa 49:18, Psa 94:6, Psa 94:7; Pro 29:1; Jer 5:12, Jer 5:13, Jer 7:3-11, Jer 28:15-17, Jer 44:16, Jer 44:17, Jer 44:27; Eze 13:16, Eze 13:22; Eph 5:6 though I walk: Num 15:30; Ecc 11:9; Rom 1:21; Co2 10:5; Eph 4:17 imagination: or, stubborness, Jer 3:17, Jer 7:24 \*marg. to add: A very forcible metaphor, denoting the natural progress and increasing avidity of sinful passions and depraved inclinations; which lead men to drink down iniquity as the drunkard does his liquor, without regard to the consequences. Some render, "to add thirst to drunkenness;" and then it implies the insatiableness of…”