Psalms 18:8
Psalms 18:8 in Multiple Translations
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.
There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, And fire out of his mouth devoured: Coals were kindled by it.
There went up a smoke from his nose, and a fire of destruction from his mouth: flames were lighted by it.
Smoke came out of his nostrils, and fire came from his mouth; burning coals blazed before him.
Smoke went out at his nostrels, and a consuming fire out of his mouth: coales were kindled thereat.
Gone up hath smoke by His nostrils, And fire from His mouth consumeth, Coals have been kindled by it.
Smoke went out of his nostrils. Consuming fire came out of his mouth. Coals were kindled by it.
There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.
The law of the Lord is unspotted, converting souls: the testimony of the Lord is faithful, giving wisdom to little ones.
It was as though smoke poured out from his nostrils, and as though burning coals came out of his mouth.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 18:8
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 18:8 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/תִּגְעַ֬שׁ
וַ/תִּרְעַ֨שׁ
הָ/אָ֗רֶץ
וּ/מוֹסְדֵ֣י
הָרִ֣ים
יִרְגָּ֑זוּ
וַ֝/יִּתְגָּֽעֲשׁ֗וּ
כִּי
חָ֥רָה
לֽ/וֹ
וַ/תִּגְעַ֬שׁ
gâʻash
H1607
to shake
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
וַ/תִּרְעַ֨שׁ
râʻash
H7493
to shake
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
הָ/אָ֗רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
land
Art | N-cs
וּ/מוֹסְדֵ֣י
môwçâdâh
H4146
foundation
Conj | N-cp
הָרִ֣ים
har
H2022
mountain
N-mp
יִרְגָּ֑זוּ
râgaz
H7264
to tremble
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
וַ֝/יִּתְגָּֽעֲשׁ֗וּ
gâʻash
H1607
to shake
Conj | V-Hithpael-ConsecImperf-3mp
כִּי
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
חָ֥רָה
chârâh
H2734
to be incensed
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
לֽ/וֹ
Prep | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 18:8
וַ/תִּגְעַ֬שׁ
gâʻash
H1607
"to shake"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
This verb means to shake or agitate violently, and can describe natural events like earthquakes or the turmoil of the sea. It is used to convey a sense of intense movement or instability.
Definition: 1) to shake, quake 1a) (Qal) to shake 1b) (Pual) to be shaken up, convulsed 1c) (Hithpael) to shake back and forth, toss or reel to and fro 1d) (Hithpoel) to reel to and fro
Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: move, shake, toss, trouble. See also: 2 Samuel 22:8; Jeremiah 5:22; Psalms 18:8.
וַ/תִּרְעַ֨שׁ
râʻash
H7493
"to shake"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
In the Bible, this word means to shake or quake, often describing the earth or sky trembling with fear. It's used in the books of Psalms and Isaiah, describing God's power and majesty.
Definition: 1) to quake, shake 1a) (Qal) to quake, shake 1b) (Niphal) to be made to quake 1c)(Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to quake 1c2) to cause to spring or leap (of horse)
Usage: Occurs in 30 OT verses. KJV: make afraid, (re-) move, quake, (make to) shake, (make to) tremble. See also: Judges 5:4; Jeremiah 49:21; Psalms 18:8.
הָ/אָ֗רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
"land"
Art | N-cs
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.
וּ/מוֹסְדֵ֣י
môwçâdâh
H4146
"foundation"
Conj | N-cp
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means a foundation or base, like the starting point of a building. It appears in Psalm 11:3 and is also used in Proverbs 8:29 to describe the earth's foundation. This concept is key to understanding God's creation.
Definition: foundation Another spelling of mo.sad (מוֹסָד "foundation" H4144)
Usage: Occurs in 11 OT verses. KJV: foundation. See also: Deuteronomy 32:22; Isaiah 24:18; Psalms 18:8.
הָרִ֣ים
har
H2022
"mountain"
N-mp
A mountain or hill, sometimes used to describe a spiritual high point. In the Bible, it can refer to a real mountain or a figurative one. The word is often translated as hill or mount.
Definition: : mount/hill hill, mountain, hill country, mount
Usage: Occurs in 486 OT verses. KJV: hill (country), mount(-ain), [idiom] promotion. See also: Genesis 7:19; Deuteronomy 3:12; Judges 18:13.
יִרְגָּ֑זוּ
râgaz
H7264
"to tremble"
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
In the Bible, this word means to shake or tremble with strong emotions like fear, anger, or excitement. It can also mean to provoke or disturb someone, causing them to become agitated. The KJV Bible translates it in various ways, including 'tremble', 'quake', and 'rage'.
Definition: 1) tremble, quake, rage, quiver, be agitated, be excited, be perturbed 1a)(Qal) to quake, be disquieted, be excited, be perturbed 1b) (Hiphil) to cause to quake, disquiet, enrage, disturb 1c) (Hithpael) to excite oneself
Usage: Occurs in 40 OT verses. KJV: be afraid, stand in awe, disquiet, fall out, fret, move, provoke, quake, rage, shake, tremble, trouble, be wroth. See also: Genesis 45:24; Isaiah 5:25; Psalms 4:5.
וַ֝/יִּתְגָּֽעֲשׁ֗וּ
gâʻash
H1607
"to shake"
Conj | V-Hithpael-ConsecImperf-3mp
This verb means to shake or agitate violently, and can describe natural events like earthquakes or the turmoil of the sea. It is used to convey a sense of intense movement or instability.
Definition: 1) to shake, quake 1a) (Qal) to shake 1b) (Pual) to be shaken up, convulsed 1c) (Hithpael) to shake back and forth, toss or reel to and fro 1d) (Hithpoel) to reel to and fro
Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: move, shake, toss, trouble. See also: 2 Samuel 22:8; Jeremiah 5:22; Psalms 18:8.
כִּי
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
חָ֥רָה
chârâh
H2734
"to be incensed"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
To be incensed means to be very angry or furious, like a fire burning. It describes strong emotions like anger, zeal, or jealousy, and is used to express intense feelings in the Bible.
Definition: 1) to be hot, furious, burn, becomeangry, be kindled 1a) (Qal) to burn, kindle (anger) 1b) (Niphal) to be angry with, be incensed 1c) (Hiphil) to burn, kindle 1d) (Hithpael) to heat oneself in vexation
Usage: Occurs in 87 OT verses. KJV: be angry, burn, be displeased, [idiom] earnestly, fret self, grieve, be (wax) hot, be incensed, kindle, [idiom] very, be wroth. See H8474 (תַּחָרָה). See also: Genesis 4:5; 1 Samuel 15:11; Psalms 18:8.
לֽ/וֹ
""
Prep | Suff
Study Notes — Psalms 18:8
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 18:8 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 18:8
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 18:8
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 18:8
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 18:8
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 18:8
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 18:8
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 18:8
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 18:8
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 18:8
- Sermons on Psalms 18:8
Context — The LORD Is My Rock
6In my distress I called upon the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From His temple He heard my voice, and my cry for His help reached His ears.
7Then the earth shook and quaked, and the foundations of the mountains trembled; they were shaken because He burned with anger.
8Smoke rose from His nostrils, and consuming fire came from His mouth; glowing coals blazed forth.
9He parted the heavens and came down with dark clouds beneath His feet. 10He mounted a cherub and flew; He soared on the wings of the wind.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 21:9 | You will place them in a fiery furnace at the time of Your appearing. In His wrath the LORD will engulf them, and the fire will consume them. |
| 2 | Psalms 11:6 | On the wicked He will rain down fiery coals and sulfur; a scorching wind will be their portion. |
| 3 | Nahum 1:5–6 | The mountains quake before Him, and the hills melt away; the earth trembles at His presence— the world and all its dwellers. Who can withstand His indignation? Who can endure His burning anger? His wrath is poured out like fire; even rocks are shattered before Him. |
| 4 | Leviticus 10:2 | So fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died in the presence of the LORD. |
| 5 | Genesis 19:28 | He looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah and all the land of the plain, and he saw the smoke rising from the land like smoke from a furnace. |
| 6 | Daniel 7:10 | A river of fire was flowing, coming out from His presence. Thousands upon thousands attended Him, and myriads upon myriads stood before Him. The court was convened, and the books were opened. |
| 7 | Numbers 16:35 | And fire came forth from the LORD and consumed the 250 men who were offering the incense. |
| 8 | Psalms 144:5–6 | Part Your heavens, O LORD, and come down; touch the mountains, that they may smoke. Flash forth Your lightning and scatter them; shoot Your arrows and rout them. |
| 9 | Amos 4:11 | “Some of you I overthrew as I overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and you were like a firebrand snatched from a blaze, yet you did not return to Me,” declares the LORD. |
| 10 | Deuteronomy 29:20 | The LORD will never be willing to forgive him. Instead, His anger and jealousy will burn against that man, and every curse written in this book will fall upon him. The LORD will blot out his name from under heaven |
Psalms 18:8 Summary
This verse, Psalms 18:8, describes God's powerful and holy presence, where smoke and fire come from His nostrils and mouth, symbolizing His intense anger and judgment. The image of glowing coals blazed forth emphasizes God's glory and majesty. Just like a fire refines and purifies metal, God's fire can refine and purify our hearts, as seen in Malachi 3:2-3 and 1 Corinthians 3:12-15. As we reflect on this verse, we are reminded to reverence God's holiness and power, while trusting in His love and mercy, as seen in Psalms 103:8-12.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the image of smoke rising from God's nostrils signify?
This image signifies God's intense anger and judgment, as seen in Psalms 18:8, reminiscent of God's wrath in Deuteronomy 32:22 and His holiness in Isaiah 6:1-5.
Is the consuming fire from God's mouth a literal or figurative expression?
The consuming fire from God's mouth is a figurative expression of God's powerful judgment and purification, as seen in Hebrews 12:29 and Matthew 3:11-12, where fire symbolizes God's refining and cleansing work.
How does this verse relate to God's character?
This verse highlights God's holiness, power, and justice, emphasizing that He is a God who will not tolerate sin, as seen in Exodus 34:6-7 and Romans 11:22, where God's mercy and severity are balanced.
What does the phrase 'glowing coals blazed forth' signify?
The phrase 'glowing coals blazed forth' signifies the intense heat and light of God's presence, emphasizing His glory and majesty, as seen in Ezekiel 1:4-28 and Isaiah 48:10, where God's glory is described in vivid imagery.
Reflection Questions
- How does the image of smoke and fire from God's nostrils and mouth challenge my perception of God's character and power?
- In what ways can I apply the concept of God's refining fire to my own life, allowing Him to purify and cleanse me?
- What are some areas in my life where I need to acknowledge and reverence God's holiness and justice, as depicted in this verse?
- How can I balance the fear of God's judgment with the assurance of His love and mercy, as seen in Psalms 18:8 and other scriptures?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 18:8
There went up a smoke out of his nostrils,.... This, with what follows, describes a storm of thunder; the "smoke" designs thick black clouds, gathered together; "fire" intends lightning; and "coals
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 18:8
There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 18:8
Smoke out of his nostrils; as is usual in persons transported with great anger and rage. He manifestd his great displeasure against my adversaries. Coals were kindled by it; which notes the fervency, constancy, and efficacy of his anger.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 18:8
Psalms 18:8 There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.Ver. 8. There went up a smoke out of his nostrils] As angry men breathe vehemently, and seem to spit fire by their blustering speeches and menaces, so here ανθρωποπαθως omnia, quae tamen θεοπρεπως sunt intelligenda.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 18:8
(8) A smoke.—Now the thunder-cloud forms—smoke, as it were, from the nostrils of God (comp. Psalms 74:1; Deuteronomy 29:20 : the literal rendering is, “there ascended smoke in his nostrils”)—and intermittent flashes of lightning dart forth and play about the distant summits, seeming to devour everything in its path. (Comp. the expression lambent flame.”) Coals were kindled by it.—Rather, flaming coals blazed from it.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 18:8
Verse 8. There went up a smoke out of his nostrils] - Or, 'There ascended into his nostrils a smoke,' as the words, literally rendered, signify. The ancients placed the seat of anger in the nose, or nostrils; because when the passions are warm and violent, it discovers itself by the heated vehement breath which proceeds from them. Hence the physiognomists considered open wide nostrils as a sign of an angry, fiery disposition. "This description of a smoke arising into and a fire breaking forth from the nostrils of God, denotes, by a poetical figure, the greatness of his anger and indignation. "Fire out of his mouth devoured - means that consuming fire issued out of his mouth. Coals were kindled by it, thus we render the next clause; but the words do not mean that fire proceeding from God kindled coals, but that burning coals issued from his mouth; and it should be rendered 'living coals from his mouth burned, and consumed around him.'-Chandler.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 18:8
8. The startling boldness of the language will be intelligible if the distinctive character of Hebrew symbolism is borne in mind. It is no “gross anthropomorphism,” for the poet did not intend that the mind’s eye should shape his figures into a concrete form. His aim is vividly to express the awfulness of this manifestation of God’s wrath, and he does it by using figures which are intended to remain as purely mental conceptions, not to be realised as though God appeared in any visible shape. See some excellent remarks in Archbishop Trench’s Common the Epistles to the Seven Churches, p. 43. a smoke] The outward sign of the pent-up fires of wrath. So anger is said to smoke (Psalms 74:1; Psalms 80:4 marg.). This bold figure is suggested by the panting and snorting of an infuriated animal. See the description of the crocodile in Job 41:19-21. out of his nostrils] Cp. Psalms 18:15. In his wrath (R.V. marg.) is a possible rendering, but the context and parallelism are against it. fire] The constant emblem of the consuming wrath of God.
See Exodus 15:7; Deuteronomy 32:22; Psalms 97:3; Hebrews 12:29. coals &c.] Or, hot burning coals came out of it: the fiery messengers of vengeance (Psalms 140:10).
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 18:8
There went up a smoke out of his nostrils - Margin, “by his;” that is, as it is understood in the margin, the smoke seemed to be produced “by” his nostrils, or to be caused by his breathing.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 18:8
8. There went up a smoke—Compare, on Sodom, Genesis 19:27-28; also, on Sinai, Exodus 19:18—a token of God’s majesty and his anger against sin. Fire out of his mouth—See the passages last quoted.
Sermons on Psalms 18:8
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
The Cup of Wrath by Andrew Bonar | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the severity of God's wrath and the consequences of sin. He uses imagery of the seven seals, trumpets, and vials from the book of Revelation |
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The Folly of Looking Back in Fleeing Out of Sodom by Jonathan Edwards | Jonathan Edwards preaches about the folly of looking back when fleeing out of Sodom, drawing parallels between the destruction of Jerusalem and the end of the world to the judgment |
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The Vain Securities of the Wicked by Thomas Vincent | Thomas Vincent delivers a powerful sermon on the certainty and dreadfulness of the burnings of hell, emphasizing that they are prepared for the wicked and graceless individuals as |
|
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Fire and Brimstone in Hell, to Burn the Wicked by Thomas Vincent | Thomas Vincent preaches a powerful sermon on the horrors of hell, describing the future flames and torments awaiting the wicked in vivid detail. He emphasizes the certainty of hell |
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2 Queries About Hell by Christopher Love | Christopher Love preaches about the existence of hell, providing evidence from both the confessions of heathens and the testimony of Scripture. He emphasizes that the nature of sin |
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Of the Conflagration of the Universe. by John Gill | John Gill preaches on the universal conflagration of the universe, emphasizing the literal interpretation of biblical prophecies regarding the end times, particularly the burning o |
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The Cause and Cure of Earthquakes by John Wesley | John Wesley addresses the terrifying reality of earthquakes as divine judgments from God, emphasizing that they serve as a reminder of human sinfulness and the need for repentance. |