Deuteronomy 11:1
New International Version
Love the LORD your God and keep his requirements, his decrees, his laws and his commands always.

New Living Translation
“You must love the LORD your God and always obey his requirements, decrees, regulations, and commands.

English Standard Version
“You shall therefore love the LORD your God and keep his charge, his statutes, his rules, and his commandments always.

Berean Standard Bible
You shall therefore love the LORD your God and always keep His charge, His statutes, His ordinances, and His commandments.

Berean Literal Bible
And you shall love YHWH your God, and keep His charge, and His statutes, and His ordinances, and His commandments, all the days.

King James Bible
Therefore thou shalt love the LORD thy God, and keep his charge, and his statutes, and his judgments, and his commandments, alway.

New King James Version
“Therefore you shall love the LORD your God, and keep His charge, His statutes, His judgments, and His commandments always.

New American Standard Bible
“You shall therefore love the LORD your God, and always keep His directive, His statutes, His ordinances, and His commandments.

NASB 1995
“You shall therefore love the LORD your God, and always keep His charge, His statutes, His ordinances, and His commandments.

NASB 1977
“You shall therefore love the LORD your God, and always keep His charge, His statutes, His ordinances, and His commandments.

Legacy Standard Bible
“You shall therefore love Yahweh your God, and keep His charge, His statutes, His judgments, and His commandments all your days.

Amplified Bible
“Therefore you shall love the LORD your God, and always keep His charge, His statutes, His precepts, and His commandments [it is your obligation to Him].

Berean Annotated Bible
You shall therefore love the LORD your God {YHWH Eloheka} and always keep His charge, His statutes, His ordinances, and His commandments.

Christian Standard Bible
“Therefore, love the LORD your God and always keep his mandate and his statutes, ordinances, and commands.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Therefore, love the LORD your God and always keep His mandate and His statutes, ordinances, and commands.

American Standard Version
Therefore thou shalt love Jehovah thy God, and keep his charge, and his statutes, and his ordinances, and his commandments, alway.

Contemporary English Version
The LORD is your God, so you must always love him and obey his laws and teachings.

English Revised Version
Therefore thou shalt love the LORD thy God, and keep his charge, and his statutes, and his judgments, and his commandments, alway.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Love the LORD your God, and do what he wants you to do. Always obey his laws, rules, and commands.

Good News Translation
"Love the LORD your God and always obey all his laws.

International Standard Version
"Therefore love the LORD your God and be very careful to keep his injunctions, statutes, ordinances, and commands all the time.

NET Bible
You must love the LORD your God and do what he requires; keep his statutes, ordinances, and commandments at all times.

New Heart English Bible
Therefore you shall love the LORD your God, and keep his instructions, and his statutes, and his ordinances, and his commandments, always.

Webster's Bible Translation
Therefore thou shalt love the LORD thy God, and keep his charge, and his statutes, and his judgments, and his commandments, always.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
You shall therefore love the LORD your God and always keep His charge, His statutes, His ordinances, and His commandments.

World English Bible
Therefore you shall love Yahweh your God, and keep his instructions, his statutes, his ordinances, and his commandments, always.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
“And you have loved your God YHWH, and kept His charge, and His statutes, and His judgments, and His commands, [for] all the days;

Berean Literal Bible
And you shall love YHWH your God, and keep His charge, and His statutes, and His ordinances, and His commandments, all the days.

Young's Literal Translation
'And thou hast loved Jehovah thy God, and kept His charge, and His statutes, and His judgments, and His commands, all the days;

Smith's Literal Translation
And love thou Jehovah thy God, and watch his watches and his laws and his judgments and his commands, all the days.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Therefore love the Lord thy God and observe his precepts and ceremonies, his judgments and commandments at all times.

Catholic Public Domain Version
“And so, love the Lord your God, and observe his precepts and ceremonies, his judgments and commandments, at all times.

New American Bible
Love the LORD, your God, therefore, and keep his charge, statutes, ordinances, and commandments always.

New Revised Standard Version
You shall love the LORD your God, therefore, and keep his charge, his decrees, his ordinances, and his commandments always.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
THEREFORE you shall love the LORD your God, and keep his precepts, his statutes, his judgments, and his commandments, always.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Love LORD JEHOVAH your God and keep his charge and his laws and his judgments and his commandments for all days.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Therefore thou shalt love the LORD thy God, and keep His charge, and His statutes, and His ordinances, and His commandments, alway.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Therefore thou shalt love the Lord thy God, and shalt observe his appointments, and his ordinances, and his commandments, and his judgments, always.

Additional Translations ...



Context
Obedience and Discipline
1You shall therefore love the LORD your God and always keep His charge, His statutes, His ordinances, and His commandments. 2Know this day that it is not your children who have known and seen the discipline of the LORD your God: His greatness, His mighty hand, and His outstretched arm;…

Cross References
You shall therefore love the LORD your God

Deuteronomy 6:5
And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

Matthew 22:37
Jesus declared, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’

Joshua 22:5
But be very careful to observe the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you: to love the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways, to keep His commandments, to hold fast to Him, and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul.”
and always keep His charge,

Numbers 9:23
They camped at the LORD’s command, and they set out at the LORD’s command; they carried out the LORD’s charge according to His command through Moses.

Genesis 26:5
because Abraham listened to My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws.”

1 Kings 2:3
And keep the charge of the LORD your God to walk in His ways and to keep His statutes, commandments, ordinances, and decrees, as written in the Law of Moses, so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you turn,
His statutes,

Leviticus 18:4-5
You are to practice My judgments and keep My statutes by walking in them. I am the LORD your God. / Keep My statutes and My judgments, for the man who does these things will live by them. I am the LORD.

Psalm 119:5
Oh, that my ways were committed to keeping Your statutes!

Psalm 19:7-8
The Law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making wise the simple. / The precepts of the LORD are right, bringing joy to the heart; the commandments of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
His ordinances,

Psalm 119:13
With my lips I proclaim all the judgments of Your mouth.

Psalm 119:62
At midnight I rise to give You thanks for Your righteous judgments.

Psalm 19:9
The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; the judgments of the LORD are true, being altogether righteous.
and His commandments.

Exodus 20:6
but showing loving devotion to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My commandments.

John 14:15
If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.

1 John 5:3
For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome,
Nehemiah 1:5
Then I said: “O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps His covenant of loving devotion with those who love Him and keep His commandments,


Treasury of Scripture

Therefore you shall love the LORD your God, and keep his charge, and his statutes, and his judgments, and his commandments, always.

Deuteronomy 6:5
And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

Deuteronomy 10:12
And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,

Deuteronomy 30:16-20
In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it…

keep

Leviticus 8:35
Therefore shall ye abide at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation day and night seven days, and keep the charge of the LORD, that ye die not: for so I am commanded.

Zechariah 3:7
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by.

his statutes

Deuteronomy 4:1,5,40
Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you…

Deuteronomy 6:1
Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go to possess it:

Psalm 105:45
That they might observe his statutes, and keep his laws. Praise ye the LORD.

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Alway Always Charge Commandments Commands Continually Decisions Decrees Instructions Judgments Kept Love Orders Ordinances Requirements Statutes Worship
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Alway Always Charge Commandments Commands Continually Decisions Decrees Instructions Judgments Kept Love Orders Ordinances Requirements Statutes Worship
Deuteronomy 11
1. Another exhortation to obedience
2. by their own experience of God's great works
8. by promise of God's great blessings
16. and by threatenings
18. A careful study is required in God's words
26. The blessing and curse set before them












You shall therefore love the LORD your God

Israel’s love for the LORD was to arise from His gracious election, deliverance from Egypt, preservation in the wilderness, and faithful fulfillment of His promises. Love for God includes wholehearted allegiance to Him above every rival and willing devotion to His revealed will. Deuteronomy places this command at the heart of covenant life, as the Shema declares that the LORD alone is God and must be loved with all the heart, soul, and strength. Jesus identified this command as the greatest commandment, calling every person to the same undivided devotion to God.

Deu 6:5 And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart…
Mat 22:37 Jesus declared, ‘Love the Lord your God…
Jos 22:5 But be very careful to observe the commandment and the law…

and always keep His charge,

The LORD entrusted Israel with the responsibility of guarding and obeying all that He had commanded. Faithfulness was not limited to public worship, national gatherings, or moments of crisis; it was required throughout every day and every generation. Priests guarded the holiness of the tabernacle, but all Israel bore the covenant responsibility of living as the LORD’s holy people. Love that receives God’s mercy also keeps what God has entrusted.

Num 9:23 They camped at the LORD’s command, and they set out…
Gen 26:5 because Abraham listened to My voice and kept My charge…
1Ki 2:3 And keep the charge of the LORD your God to walk in His ways…

His statutes,

God’s statutes established the enduring pattern of life for a people set apart from the nations. They directed Israel’s worship, family life, moral conduct, and communal holiness. The statutes revealed that the God who redeemed Israel also ruled Israel, and that His people were to reflect His character in the land He gave them. The psalmists rejoiced in these commands because they gave wisdom, light, and stability to those who walked in them.

Lev 18:4-5 You are to practice My judgments and keep My statutes…
Psa 119:5 Oh, that my ways were committed to keeping Your statutes!
Psa 19:7-8 The Law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul;…

His ordinances,

God’s ordinances applied His righteousness to the concrete affairs of life, including justice, property, restitution, treatment of neighbors, and protection of the vulnerable. Israel’s courts and leaders were to judge according to God’s standard rather than personal favor or the customs of surrounding peoples. Obedience in these matters displayed the justice of the LORD before the nations and preserved peace within the covenant community.

Psa 119:13 With my lips I proclaim all the judgments of Your mouth.
Psa 119:62 At midnight I rise to give You thanks…
Psa 19:9 The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever;…

and His commandments.

God’s commandments expressed His holy authority and called for obedient faith. The Ten Commandments stood as the central summary of Israel’s moral obligations to God and neighbor, while the wider law instructed the nation in faithful covenant living. Jesus perfectly loved the Father and fulfilled the law without sin. Those who belong to Him are called to love God through obedient lives, not to earn redemption, but as the fruit of redemption received by grace.

Exo 20:6 showing loving devotion to a thousand generations…
Jhn 14:15 If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.
1Jn 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments.…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The author of Deuteronomy, delivering God's laws and commandments to the Israelites.

2. Israelites
The chosen people of God, receiving instructions on how to live in obedience to God.

3. Promised Land
The land of Canaan, which the Israelites are preparing to enter, contingent on their obedience to God's laws.

4. Mount Sinai
The place where God originally gave the law to Moses, establishing the covenant with Israel.

5. Covenant
The agreement between God and Israel, requiring their obedience in exchange for His blessings.
Teaching Points
Love as the Foundation
Loving God is the foundation of our relationship with Him. It is not merely an emotional response but a commitment to live according to His will.

Obedience as an Expression of Love
True love for God is demonstrated through obedience to His commandments. Our actions reflect our devotion.

Holistic Commitment
The call to keep God's charge, statutes, ordinances, and commandments suggests a comprehensive commitment to His ways in every aspect of life.

Covenant Relationship
Understanding our relationship with God as a covenant helps us see the importance of faithfulness and the blessings that come from obedience.

Consistency in Faith
The word "always" indicates the need for consistency in our walk with God, not just in moments of convenience or crisis.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Deuteronomy 11:1?

2. How can we "love the LORD your God" in our daily lives today?

3. What does it mean to "keep His charge" in Deuteronomy 11:1?

4. How does Deuteronomy 11:1 connect to Jesus' teaching on the greatest commandment?

5. Why is it important to observe "His statutes and ordinances" in our faith journey?

6. How can we teach our children to follow God's "commands" from Deuteronomy 11:1?

7. How does Deuteronomy 11:1 define love for God in practical terms today?

8. What historical context influenced the command in Deuteronomy 11:1?

9. How does Deuteronomy 11:1 relate to the overall theme of obedience in the Bible?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Deuteronomy 11?


What Does Deuteronomy 11:1 Mean
You shall therefore love the LORD your God

• Moses begins with love, not duty. Deuteronomy 6:5 repeats the call to “love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength,” anchoring every act of obedience in heartfelt devotion.

• Love here is covenant loyalty—choosing Him above all rivals, as Joshua 24:15 urges Israel to “choose this day whom you will serve.”

• Jesus later affirms this as the greatest commandment (Matthew 22:37-38), showing the unbroken thread from Sinai to the Gospels.


and always keep His charge

• “Charge” emphasizes stewardship of what God entrusts to His people—His worship, His promises, His mission. Numbers 27:23 speaks of Joshua receiving “the charge,” and 1 Timothy 6:20 tells believers to “guard what has been entrusted.”

• The word “always” reveals that love is demonstrated through steady, lifelong faithfulness, not sporadic zeal (Galatians 6:9).


His statutes

• Statutes are the specific written rules God laid down for Israel’s civil and religious life. Psalm 19:8 celebrates them: “The precepts of the LORD are right, bringing joy to the heart.”

• Obedience to statutes kept Israel distinct among the nations (Leviticus 20:22-26) and reflected God’s holy character.


His ordinances

• Ordinances are the case-laws and judgments applying God’s moral will to everyday situations. Exodus 21–23 fleshes this out—guidance for servants, property, justice.

• Walking in ordinances protected the weak and upheld righteousness, echoing Micah 6:8’s call “to act justly.”


and His commandments

• Commandments are God’s authoritative orders, like the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20. Jesus links love and command-keeping: “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15).

James 1:22 reminds believers to be “doers of the word and not hearers only,” proving genuine faith by action.


summary

Deuteronomy 11:1 weaves love and obedience into a single fabric: wholehearted affection for the LORD fuels continuous faithfulness to everything He has spoken—His charge, statutes, ordinances, and commandments. Loving God means guarding what He values, living by His standards, and reflecting His heart in every sphere of life.

XI.

(1) Therefore.—There is no break here in the original. “The Lord thy God hath made thee as the stars of heaven for multitude, and thou shalt love the Lord thy God.”

And keep his charge.—Literally, keep his keeping, i.e., all that is to be kept in obedience to Him.

Alway.—Literally, all the days. (Comp. “I am with you all the days” in Matthew 28:20) Israel must not omit one day in keeping the charge of Jehovah, for “He that keepeth Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.”

Verse 1. - His charge; what he has appointed to be observed and done (cf. Leviticus 8:35; Numbers 1:53); more fully explained by his statutes, and his judgments, and his commandments.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
You shall therefore love
וְאָ֣הַבְתָּ֔ (wə·’ā·haḇ·tā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 157: To have affection f

the LORD
יְהוָ֣ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

your God
אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ (’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

and always
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

keep
וְשָׁמַרְתָּ֣ (wə·šā·mar·tā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 8104: To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to

His charge,
מִשְׁמַרְתּ֗וֹ (miš·mar·tōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4931: A guard, watch, charge, function

His statutes,
וְחֻקֹּתָ֧יו (wə·ḥuq·qō·ṯāw)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 2708: Something prescribed, an enactment, statute

His ordinances,
וּמִשְׁפָּטָ֛יו (ū·miš·pā·ṭāw)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4941: A verdict, a sentence, formal decree, divine law, penalty, justice, privilege, style

and His commandments.
וּמִצְוֺתָ֖יו (ū·miṣ·wō·ṯāw)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4687: Commandment


Additonal Resources
Deuteronomy 11:1 Blue Letter Bible
Deuteronomy 11:1 Bible Gateway
Deuteronomy 11:1 Bible.com

Deuteronomy 11:1 NIV
Deuteronomy 11:1 NLT
Deuteronomy 11:1 ESV
Deuteronomy 11:1 NASB
Deuteronomy 11:1 KJV

Deuteronomy 11:1 Study Bible
Deuteronomy 11:1 Biblia Paralela
Deuteronomy 11:1 Chinese Bible
Deuteronomy 11:1 French Bible
Deuteronomy 11:1 Catholic Bible

OT Law: Deuteronomy 11:1 Therefore you shall love Yahweh your God (Deut. De Du)

Deuteronomy 10:22
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