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Deuteronomy 6:13
Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name.

Deuteronomy 13:4
Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.

Matthew 4:10
Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

cleave

Deuteronomy 4:4
But ye that did cleave unto the LORD your Godare alive every one of you this day.

Deuteronomy 11:22
For if ye shall diligently keep all these commandments which I command you, to do them, to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, and to cleave unto him;

Deuteronomy 13:4
Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.

swear

Deuteronomy 6:13
Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name.

Psalm 63:11
But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by him shall glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.

Isaiah 45:23
I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouthin righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.

and serve Him.
Service to God in the Old Testament often involved worship, sacrifices, and obedience to His commandments. The Hebrew word for "serve" can also mean "worship," indicating that true service to God is an act of worship. This service is exclusive, as seen in the first commandment (Exodus 20:3), and is a response to God's deliverance and covenant relationship with Israel. Jesus reiterates this principle inMatthew 4:10, emphasizing that worship and service are due to God alone.

Hold fast to Him
Holding fast to God implies loyalty and commitment. In the covenantal context, it means clinging to God and His commandments, rejecting idolatry and other allegiances. This phrase suggests a relationship akin to a marriage, where faithfulness and devotion are paramount.Joshua 23:8 echoes this sentiment, urging Israel to cling to the LORD as they had done in the past. It is a call to steadfastness in faith and practice.

and take your oaths in His name.
Oaths in the ancient world were serious commitments, often invoking a deity as a witness to the truth of one's words. By instructing the Israelites to take oaths in God's name, the text underscores the importance of truthfulness and integrity. It also highlights the exclusivity of their relationship with Yahweh, as oaths were not to be made in the names of other gods. Jesus later addresses the issue of oaths inMatthew 5:33-37, emphasizing honesty and the importance of one's word without the need for swearing by anything.

“Fear” here is reverent awe that rejects casual familiarity and embraces God’s holiness.

•Proverbs 1:7 notes that “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,” underlining that true wisdom starts with humble recognition of His supremacy.

• Moses has already said, “Fear the LORD your God, serve Him only” (Deuteronomy 6:13). This passage repeats that call, showing it is foundational, not optional.

•Psalm 111:10 connects fear with obedience, whileHebrews 12:28-29 reminds believers that God remains “a consuming fire,” worthy of trembling respect.

Living in this fear means confessing sin quickly, approaching worship seriously, and patterning every decision around God’s revealed character.

To serve (ʿābad) is to worship, work, and obey under God’s rule.

• Joshua urges, “Serve Him with all faithfulness” (Joshua 24:14-15), linking service with wholehearted loyalty.

•Romans 12:1 expands the idea: presenting our bodies “as a living sacrifice” is “your spiritual service of worship.”

•Colossians 3:23-24 shifts service beyond church walls: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart… It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

Practical outflow:

– Sunday worship becomes a weekly recalibration.

– Weekday tasks, from spreadsheets to toddlers, are re-defined as offerings to God.

– Ministry, generosity, and neighbor-love turn into acts of grateful service, not self-promotion.

“Hold fast” pictures gripping tightly and refusing to let go, just as a vine clings to a trellis.

•Deuteronomy 11:22 promises blessing “if you carefully keep all these commandments… and cling to Him.”

•Joshua 23:8 urges Israel to “hold fast to the LORD your God as you have until now,” guarding against drift.

• Jesus amplifies the image: “Remain in Me, and I will remain in you” (John 15:4-5). Abiding, not periodic visits, produces fruit.

To hold fast is to:

– Nourish daily communion through Scripture and prayer.

– Reject alliances or habits that loosen your grip (2 Corinthians 6:17).

– Persevere through trial, convinced that “He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’” (Hebrews 13:5).

Oaths invoke God as the guarantor of truth. Israel was to swear only by the LORD, never by other gods (Deuteronomy 6:13).

•Isaiah 45:23 shows God Himself taking an oath, underscoring the practice’s gravity.

•Hebrews 6:16 observes that oaths “end all dispute,” recognizing their legal weight.

• Jesus cautions empty oath-making (Matthew 5:33-37), andJames 5:12 tells believers to let “Yes” be yes, because every word already lies before God.

Principles today:

– Speak truth consistently so formal oaths become unnecessary.

– If civil settings require oaths, invoke God’s name with sober integrity.

– Never use His name to mask deceit; He will not hold the liar guiltless (Exodus 20:7).

Deuteronomy 10:20 stitches together four inseparable responses to God’s covenant mercy: revere Him, serve Him, cling to Him, and honor His name with truthful speech. Each phrase pushes the heart beyond mere rule-keeping toward a life saturated with worship, obedience, loyalty, and integrity. Stand in awe, work for His glory, stay near, and speak honestly—this is what it means to live as His redeemed people.