Smoke went up from his nostrils, and devouring fire from his mouth; glowing coals flamed forth from him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
What's easily missed here is the intensity and source of God's anger. The "smoke out of his nostrils" isn't just a metaphor for anger; it's the outward visible sign of immense, pent-up fury, like the snorting of an enraged animal or the venting of a volcano. And the "fire out of his mouth" isn't just destructive power; it's an active, devouring force, with "glowing coals" blazing forth as messengers of vengeance.
Smoke went up from his nostrils, and devouring fire from his mouth; glowing coals flamed forth from him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
David is describing an overwhelming divine rescue, portraying God's powerful intervention like a terrifying storm or volcanic eruption. This vivid imagery emphasizes the immense force and fury unleashed against his enemies, serving as a dramatic prelude to his own deliverance. The following verses continue this epic description, depicting God descending from heaven and actively fighting on David's behalf.
Ever felt that overwhelming heat of anger? The Bible doesn't shy away from describing God's own anger. When God is depicted as furious, what does that really look like?
The Power of Divine Wrath
This verse uses incredibly vivid imagery to describe God's response to David's enemies. Notice the 'smoke from his nostrils' and 'devouring fire from his mouth.' This isn't just a mild irritation; it's a powerful, consuming force.
This passage helps us understand that God's justice is not passive. When He acts against sin and injustice, it's with a powerful, all-consuming intensity that leaves no room for the wicked.
When God intervenes in history, it’s often depicted as a dramatic, even terrifying, event. How does this passage show God making His presence and power undeniably known?
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God's Immanence in Judgment
These verses aren't just poetic descriptions; they paint a picture of God actively and powerfully intervening in the world. This isn't a distant deity; it's God making His presence known in a tangible, awe-inspiring way.
This teaches us that when God acts in judgment or deliverance, it’s a full-scale manifestation of His power. He doesn't just command from afar; He enters into the situation, making His overwhelming might evident to all.
Understand the original words
esh akelah · Hebrew Noun
An anthropomorphic expression denoting divine judgment, holiness, and the consuming, purifying power of God’s presence against evil.
This psalm's vivid imagery of God's powerful, destructive manifestation likely reflects ancient Israel's experience with natural phenomena like thunderstorms and volcanic activity, interpreted as divine judgment and power in response to David's prayers and God's covenant promises.
c. 1020 BC
David's Rise to Power
David is anointed king of Israel, initiating a period of consolidation and conflict as he establishes his rule and expands the kingdom.
c. 1010 BC
David Captures Jerusalem
David conquers Jerusalem, making it the capital of Israel and a center for religious and political life.
c. 1005 BC
David's Wars and Triumphs
David engages in numerous military campaigns, defeating enemies like the Philistines, Moabites, and Syrians, expanding Israel's territory and securing its borders.
c. 1000 BC
Davidic Covenant Established
God makes a covenant with David, promising an everlasting dynasty and kingdom. This psalm is understood as a reflection on God's faithfulness to this covenant.
c. 970 BC— this verse
David's Reign Concludes
David's long and eventful reign comes to an end. The psalm is seen as a retrospective praise for God's deliverance throughout his life and kingship.
This passage describes God's anger as a fire that burns to the depths, echoing the consuming fire and coals mentioned in Psalm 18:8.
Job 41:20-21The description of the powerful and fiery breath of the Leviathan in Job parallels the imagery of smoke from nostrils and fire from the mouth, personifying immense, destructive power.
Exodus 15:7Here, God's majestic right hand is associated with overpowering strength and fiery destruction in His wrath against enemies, similar to the destructive imagery in Psalm 18:8.
Hebrews 12:29This New Testament passage directly refers to God as a consuming fire, reinforcing the idea of His holiness and judgment as intensely powerful and destructive to sin.
Psalm 74:1This verse speaks of God's anger smoking against the sheep of His pasture, connecting the imagery of smoke with divine indignation and its consequences.
ellicottPsalms 18:8: "There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it."
(8) A smoke. —Now the thunder-cloud forms—smoke, as it were, from the nostrils of God (comp. Psalm 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…
clarkePsalms 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 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 a…
What's easily missed here is the intensity and source of God's anger. The "smoke out of his nostrils" isn't just a metaphor for anger; it's the outward visible sign of immense, pent-up fury, like the snorting of an enraged animal or the venting of a volcano. And the "fire out of his mouth" isn't just destructive power; it's an active, devouring force, with "glowing coals" blazing forth as messengers of vengeance.
David is describing an overwhelming divine rescue, portraying God's powerful intervention like a terrifying storm or volcanic eruption. This vivid imagery emphasizes the immense force and fury unleashed against his enemies, serving as a dramatic prelude to his own deliverance. The following verses continue this epic description, depicting God descending from heaven and actively fighting on David's behalf.
David is describing an overwhelming divine rescue, portraying God's powerful intervention like a terrifying storm or volcanic eruption. This vivid imagery emphasizes the immense force and fury unleashed against his enemies, serving as a dramatic prelude to his own deliverance. The following verses continue this epic description, depicting God descending from heaven and actively fighting on David's behalf.
"Smoke went up from his nostrils, and devouring fire from his mouth; glowing coals flamed forth from him." — What's easily missed here is the intensity and source of God's anger. The "smoke out of his nostrils" isn't just a metaphor for anger; it's the outward visible sign of immense, pent-up fury, like…
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Last reviewed October 2026