Psalms 18:8

There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.

There went up {H5927} a smoke {H6227} out of his nostrils {H639}, and fire {H784} out of his mouth {H6310} devoured {H398}: coals {H1513} were kindled {H1197} by it.

Smoke arose in his nostrils; out of his mouth came devouring fire; sparks blazed forth from him.

Smoke rose from His nostrils, and consuming fire came from His mouth; glowing coals blazed forth.

There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, And fire out of his mouth devoured: Coals were kindled by it.

Commentary

Psalms 18:8 dramatically portrays God's powerful and awe-inspiring intervention on behalf of King David. The imagery of "smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it" is a vivid, poetic description of divine wrath and irresistible might, illustrating God's active defense of His servant against enemies.

Context

Psalm 18 is a magnificent psalm of thanksgiving, attributed to David, celebrating God's deliverance from all his enemies, especially from the hand of Saul. This particular verse is part of a grand theophany (a visible manifestation of God) where the heavens and earth respond to God's movement. It depicts God as a mighty warrior, descending from heaven to rescue David from overwhelming danger. This account is also paralleled in 2 Samuel 22:9, emphasizing its significance in David's life and theology. The language used is highly metaphorical, conveying the intensity and destructive power of God's presence against those who oppose His chosen one.

Key Themes

  • Divine Majesty and Power: The imagery underscores God's absolute sovereignty and overwhelming strength. He is not a passive observer but an active, formidable force in the affairs of humanity, capable of unleashing devastating power.
  • God as Deliverer: This verse highlights God's role as a mighty rescuer for His people. When David was in dire straits, God Himself intervened with cosmic power to secure his salvation, demonstrating His faithfulness to those who trust in Him.
  • Divine Judgment and Wrath: The "fire out of his mouth" and "coals were kindled" speak to the consuming nature of God's righteous anger against evil and injustice. This is a manifestation of His holiness, which cannot tolerate wickedness, especially when it targets His anointed.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew words behind "smoke," "fire," and "coals" are standard terms, but their combination creates a powerful visual. This imagery is consistent with other biblical descriptions of God's presence, particularly in moments of divine judgment or revelation, such as the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:18). It evokes a sense of overwhelming, all-consuming power, akin to a volcano or a raging fire, reflecting God's unapproachable holiness and immense might. The anthropomorphic language (God having nostrils and a mouth) is a poetic device to help human beings grasp an otherwise incomprehensible divine action.

Practical Application

For believers today, this verse offers profound comfort and a sobering warning:

  • Comfort in Adversity: When facing overwhelming challenges or opposition, this verse reminds us that God is a powerful, active defender of His children. He is not distant but intervenes on behalf of the righteous, fighting their battles with divine might.
  • Reverence for God's Power: It fosters a deep sense of awe and reverence for the Lord. Understanding the magnitude of His power should inspire worship and humility, recognizing that He is indeed a "consuming fire" (Hebrews 12:29) to His enemies, yet a loving Father to His own.
  • Consequence of Opposition: For those who stand against God or His purposes, this verse serves as a stark reminder of the ultimate consequences. God's justice is sure, and His wrath against evil is formidable and devastating.

Ultimately, Psalms 18:8 paints a picture of a God who is intensely involved in the lives of His faithful, willing and able to deploy cosmic power to deliver them and execute justice.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 21:9

    Thou shalt make them as a fiery oven in the time of thine anger: the LORD shall swallow them up in his wrath, and the fire shall devour them.

  • Psalms 11:6

    Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: [this shall be] the portion of their cup.

  • Nahum 1:5

    The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned at his presence, yea, the world, and all that dwell therein.

  • Nahum 1:6

    Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him.

  • Daniel 7:10

    A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.

  • Genesis 19:28

    And he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain, and beheld, and, lo, the smoke of the country went up as the smoke of a furnace.

  • Amos 4:11

    I have overthrown [some] of you, as God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and ye were as a firebrand plucked out of the burning: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.
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