John Gill Commentary Deuteronomy 1:31

"and in the wilderness, where thou hast seen how that Jehovah thy God bare thee, as a man doth bear his son, in all the way that ye went, until ye came unto this place." — Deuteronomy 1:31 (ASV)

And in the wilderness
Where he had fed them with manna, brought water out of rocks for them, protected them from every hurtful creature, had fought their battles for them, and given them victory over Amalek, Sihon, and Og:

where you have seen how the Lord your God bore you as a man does bear
his son ;
in his arms, in his bosom, with great care and tenderness:

in all the way that you went, until you came into this place ;
supplying their wants, supporting their persons, subduing their enemies, and preserving them from everything hurtful to them; and therefore having God on their side, as appeared by so many instances, of his favour to them, they had nothing to dread or fear from the Canaanites, though ever so mighty.