Psalms 83:14

As the fire burneth a wood, and as the flame setteth the mountains on fire;

As the fire {H784} burneth {H1197}{H8799)} a wood {H3293}, and as the flame {H3852} setteth {H3857} the mountains {H2022} on fire {H3857}{H8762)};

Like fire burning up the forest, like a flame that sets the mountains ablaze,

As fire consumes a forest, as a flame sets the mountains ablaze,

As the fire that burneth the forest, And as the flame that setteth the mountains on fire,

Psalms 83:14 employs vivid, powerful imagery to describe the intensity and totality of divine judgment requested by the psalmist. It likens the destruction of God's enemies to a devastating wildfire, consuming everything in its path.

Context

Psalm 83 is a fervent prayer and lament by Asaph, pleading with God to intervene against a confederacy of nations that have conspired to destroy Israel and eradicate its name. The psalmist calls upon God to act decisively, reminding Him of past victories and appealing for a similar display of power against the present threats. This verse is part of a series of imprecatory petitions (verses 9-17) where the psalmist asks God to deal with these enemies in a manner that will demonstrate His supreme power and sovereignty.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Retribution: The primary theme is God's fierce and overwhelming judgment against those who oppose His people and defy His name. The fire metaphor signifies a complete and inescapable destruction.
  • God's Consuming Power: The imagery emphasizes God's ability to act with absolute force, leaving no trace of His adversaries. Just as a wildfire cannot be easily stopped, so God's judgment, once unleashed, is irresistible.
  • Vindication of God's Name: The ultimate purpose of this destructive judgment, as seen in the broader Psalm, is for the nations to recognize God's unique sovereignty and power, as highlighted in Psalm 83:18.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "wood" (ya'ar) often refers to a forest or thicket, suggesting a vast area susceptible to fire. The term "flame" (lahav) adds to the intensity, portraying a blazing, scorching heat. The parallelism in the verse—"burneth a wood" and "setteth the mountains on fire"—reinforces the idea of widespread, uncontained destruction. The metaphor of fire is common in the Old Testament to describe God's wrath and judgment, as seen in Deuteronomy 4:24, where God is called a "consuming fire."

Practical Application

For believers today, this verse offers a profound reminder of God's ultimate justice and His unwavering commitment to His people. While we are called to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us, as taught by Jesus in Matthew 5:44, this Psalm reminds us that God is also a righteous judge who will ultimately bring all injustice to account. It encourages trust in God's sovereignty, knowing that He will ultimately vindicate His name and defend His own. It also serves as a sobering warning to those who oppose God and His purposes, highlighting the inevitable consequences of defying the Creator of the universe. Ultimately, it reinforces the truth that vengeance belongs to the Lord.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Deuteronomy 32:22

    For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains.

  • Malachi 4:1

    ¶ For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.

  • Isaiah 9:18

    For wickedness burneth as the fire: it shall devour the briers and thorns, and shall kindle in the thickets of the forest, and they shall mount up [like] the lifting up of smoke.

  • Isaiah 64:1

    ¶ Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence,

  • Isaiah 64:2

    As [when] the melting fire burneth, the fire causeth the waters to boil, to make thy name known to thine adversaries, [that] the nations may tremble at thy presence!

  • Nahum 1:10

    For while [they be] folden together [as] thorns, and while they are drunken [as] drunkards, they shall be devoured as stubble fully dry.

  • Ezekiel 20:47

    And say to the forest of the south, Hear the word of the LORD; Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will kindle a fire in thee, and it shall devour every green tree in thee, and every dry tree: the flaming flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from the south to the north shall be burned therein.

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