John Calvin Commentary Deuteronomy 1:34

"And Jehovah heard the voice of your words, and was wroth, and sware, saying," — Deuteronomy 1:34 (ASV)

And the Lord heard the voice of your words. I have shown elsewhere what is meant by God’s hearing, that is, that nothing can be concealed from Him, but that He will take account of and judge all our words and deeds. This is worthy of our observation; for people would never dare to murmur against Him unless they promised themselves impunity⁷⁵ from His not being present.

Secondly, we learn from this that God, who is a just Judge, does not proceed hastily and without cause to inflict punishment on people, and that He does not manifest severity without a full examination of the case. He, therefore, means that they deprived themselves of their assured inheritance when they were close to receiving it, through their own rebellion and depravity.

⁷⁵ Sous ombre qu’il ne prend point garde a ce qui ce fait ici bas;” under the pretext that He pays no attention to what is done here below. — Fr.