Deuteronomy 4:1

“Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, etc.] The laws of God, moral, ceremonial, and judicial, which they are exhorted to attend to and obey, in consideration of the great and good things the Lord had done for them, ever since they came from Horeb, where they were given them; such as providing for them, and feeding them in the wilderness, preserving them from every hurtful thing, and delivering their enemies into their hands, the two kings of the Amorites, which they are put in mind of in the preceding chapters; hence this begins with “therefore hearken”; for nothing is a greater incentive to obedience than the kindness and goodness of God: which I teach…”

“AN EXHORTATION TO OBEDIENCE. (Deu 4:1-13) hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you--By statutes were meant all ordinances respecting religion and the rites of divine worship; and by judgments, all enactments relative to civil matters. The two embraced the whole law of God.”

“The general entreaty contained in this chapter is pointed by special mention and enforcement of the fundamental principles of the whole covenant Deuteronomy 4:9-40, the spiritual nature of the Deity, His exclusive right to their allegiance, His abhorrence of idolatry in every form, His choice of them for His elect people. Compare further Moses’ third and last address, Deut. 27–30. return to 'Top of Page'”

“The statutes - The laws which concern the worship and service of God. The judgments - The laws concerning your duties to men. So these two comprehend both tables, and the whole law of God. Deuteronomy 4:6”

“4:1-40 Moses’ lengthy exhortation to the Israelite community was based on the people’s recent failures and his anticipation of what lay ahead in Canaan. 4:1 The pairing of the terms decrees and regulations in Deuteronomy (e.g., 4:5, 8, 14, 45; 5:1, 31) is a way of referring to the covenant stipulations and the detailed application of the great principles of the Law (see study note on 4:44).”

“unto the statutes: Statutes, every thing that concerned morals and the rites and ceremonies of religion; judgments, all matters of civil right and wrong. Deu 4:8, Deu 4:45, Deu 5:1, Deu 6:1, Deu 6:2, Deu 8:1, Deu 11:1, Deu 11:32; Lev 19:37, Lev 20:8, Lev 22:31; Psa 105:45; Psa 119:4; Eze 11:20, Eze 36:27, Eze 37:24; Mat 28:20; Luk 1:6; Joh 15:14 that ye may: Lev 18:5; Eze 20:11, Eze 20:21; Rom 10:5 Deuteronomy 4:2”

“The Israelites were to hearken to the laws and rights which Moses taught to do (that they were to do), that they might live and attain to the possession of the land which the Lord would give them. "Hearkening" involves laying to heart and observing. The words "statutes and judgments" (as in Lev 19:37) denote the whole of the law of the covenant in its two leading features. חקּים, statutes, includes the moral commandments and statutory covenant laws, for which חק and חקּה are mostly used in the earlier books; that is to say, all that the people were bound to observe; משׁפּטים, rights, all that was due to them, whether in relation to God or to their fellow-men (cf. Deu 26:17). Sometimes…”