There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.
Smoke rose from his nostrils, and fire came from his mouth that destroyed everything. Hot coals were set ablaze by it.
The writer is using dramatic imagery to describe God's powerful anger and judgment, like a mighty force of nature that nothing can withstand.
📚 Historical Context
Psalms 18 is a song of thanksgiving attributed to King David, likely written after God delivered him from his enemies, such as Saul and the Philistines. The verse uses dramatic poetic imagery to depict God's wrath and power, drawing from ancient Near Eastern descriptions of divine appearances, like the fire and smoke at Mount Sinai. This reflects the biblical theme of God as a mighty warrior who intervenes on behalf of His faithful people.
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