The LORD alone did lead him: here the figure changes from the LORD carrying his people on his wings to leading them on their way; him refers to the people of Israel. So we may translate “The LORD alone led his people” (Good News Translation), or “Israel, the LORD led you” (Contemporary English Version).

There was no foreign god with him: this verse emphasizes that Yahweh did this alone, without help from any pagan god—thereby proving that Israel belongs to him alone (see 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 .