In verses 37-38 there is another shift in the pronouns referring to the people of Israel, from the third plural in verse 37 and the first part of verse 38 to the second person of direct address in the last part of verse 38.

Then he will say: it will be helpful for translators to show who Yahweh is speaking to here; for example, “Then Yahweh will ask his people” (see Good News Translation).

Their gods: the gods of the pagans, that Israel had gone to for help; so Good News Translation, Biblia Dios Habla Hoy, Bible en français courant, Nova Tradução na Linguagem de Hoje. This makes sense (see verses 16-17) and is recommended to translators.

Where are their gods…? This is not a question for information about their whereabouts, but rather a mocking question. “What happened to those gods of yours in whom you trusted?” God tells the Israelites (end of verse 38) that they should go to them for help.

The rock in which they took refuge: for rock see verse 31. We may also express this as “The powerful gods they went to for protection?” (See also Good News Translation.)

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Deuteronomy. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .