Psalm 18 13

Psalm 18:13 kjv

The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail stones and coals of fire.

Psalm 18:13 nkjv

The LORD thundered from heaven, And the Most High uttered His voice, Hailstones and coals of fire.

Psalm 18:13 niv

The LORD thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded.

Psalm 18:13 esv

The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Most High uttered his voice, hailstones and coals of fire.

Psalm 18:13 nlt

The LORD thundered from heaven;
the voice of the Most High resounded
amid the hail and burning coals.

Psalm 18 verses

Psalm 18 13 Meaning

Psalm 18:13 describes the awesome and fearsome display of God's power as He intervenes dramatically to rescue His anointed. It portrays God manifesting Himself as a mighty storm-god, thundering from the heavens and sending destructive elements—hailstones and burning coals—as a clear demonstration of His powerful presence, sovereign judgment, and active defense of His chosen one. This imagery underscores God's absolute control over creation and His decisive action against all adversaries.

Psalm 18 13 Context

Psalm 18 is a psalm of thanksgiving from King David, expressing profound gratitude to God for deliverance from all his enemies, especially from the hand of Saul (Psa 18:title). The broader context of verses 7-19 describes a powerful, cosmic theophany—a visible manifestation of God—where the very earth is convulsed, the heavens rumble, and storm elements become weapons in God's hand as He descends to rescue David. This verse (18:13) fits into this grand portrayal of God as a divine warrior, who does not merely observe from a distance but actively intervenes with overwhelming power and majesty, sending forth powerful phenomena from His heavenly abode to conquer obstacles and enemies standing in the way of His chosen king. This imagery would have resonated deeply with the ancient Israelite understanding of Yahweh as the Supreme Commander over creation and history.

Psalm 18 13 Word analysis

• The Lord (יְהוָה - YHVH): This is the sacred, covenant name of God, emphasizing His personal, relational, and active involvement in history. Its use here highlights that the thunder and subsequent events are not random natural occurrences but deliberate actions of the living God who keeps His promises to His people.
• also thundered (וַיַּרְעֵם - vayyar'em): From the Hebrew רָעַם (ra'am), meaning "to thunder" or "to rage." It depicts a sound of immense power, often associated with divine speech and authority in judgment. This thunder is not just noise; it signifies God's voice breaking forth with irresistible might, announcing His presence and intent.
• in the heavens (בַּשָּׁמַיִם - bashamayim): This specifies God's dwelling place and the source of His power. It emphasizes the celestial origin of His intervention, signifying His cosmic sovereignty and that His help comes from above all earthly constraints and foes.
• And the Most High (וְעֶלְיוֹן - ve'Elyon): עֶלְיוֹן (Elyon) is a title emphasizing God's supreme transcendence and exaltation above all other beings or deities. Its conjunction with YHVH (The Lord) underlines that this personal, covenant God is also the sovereign ruler of the universe, demonstrating unparalleled majesty and authority.
• uttered (יִתֵּן - yitten): From נָתַן (natan), meaning "to give," "to put," or "to send forth." Here, it signifies the deliberate emanation of His divine will or decree, not merely a sound but an act of creation and judgment through speech. It implies active, purposeful manifestation.
• His voice (קוֹלוֹ - qolo): More than an auditory phenomenon, God's "voice" in biblical theology is often synonymous with His creative, commanding, and judging power. When God's voice speaks, things happen (Gen 1:3; Psa 33:6,9). In this context, His voice initiates the destructive elements that follow.
• Hailstones (בָּרָד - barad): This natural phenomenon is repeatedly depicted in Scripture as an instrument of divine judgment, particularly notable in the Exodus plagues (Exod 9:23-24). It signifies the tangible, destructive force accompanying God's anger and righteous vengeance upon His enemies.
• and coals of fire (וְגַחֲלֵי אֵשׁ - ve'gahalei esh): Literally "burning coals of fire." Fire is a powerful biblical symbol of God's holy presence, purity, judgment, and consuming power (Deut 4:24; Heb 12:29). When linked with hailstones, it depicts a devastating, impossible-to-resist force unleashed by God, a vivid image of His wrath and protective zeal for His anointed.

Word Group Analysis:

• "The Lord also thundered in the heavens": This phrase encapsulates God's absolute sovereignty and immediate action. He is not a passive observer but an active participant, originating immense power from His heavenly domain to influence earthly events, establishing His reign over cosmic forces.
• "And the Most High uttered His voice": This phrase reaffirms divine authority. It specifies that the cosmic events are a direct result of God's deliberate, verbal command. The combination of "Most High" with "uttered His voice" emphasizes that God's declaration is from the highest authority and is irresistibly effective, beyond any earthly or demonic power.
• "Hailstones and coals of fire": This serves as the powerful consequence and visible manifestation of God's thundering voice. These destructive elements are not just random storm components but divine munitions, sent as tools of judgment and deliverance, demonstrating the tangibility and efficacy of God's wrath and protection.

Psalm 18 13 Bonus section

The highly anthropomorphic description of God in this Psalm (eyes, nose, mouth, hands) serves to make the incomprehensible divine action understandable in human terms, conveying the depth of God's personal involvement and fury against injustice on David's behalf. It is a powerful theological statement about Yahweh's nature as the true storm-God, far superior to and distinct from the pagan storm deities (like Baal) worshipped in the ancient Near East, which this Psalm implicitly polemicizes against by showing Yahweh as the one who commands the very elements those gods were purported to control. Furthermore, this psalm's description of God's defense of His king ultimately points to God's defense of the true King, Jesus Christ, and His Kingdom. The cosmic display prefigures the ultimate triumph and reign of Christ, against whom all earthly and spiritual enemies are utterly helpless when God unleashes His divine power. The dramatic portrayal of a protective, warring God encourages deep trust and reliance, reminding us that no foe, however mighty, can withstand the "hailstones and coals of fire" emanating from the thundering voice of the Most High.

Psalm 18 13 Commentary

Psalm 18:13 presents a stunning picture of God's intervention, continuing the epic theophany described from verse 7 onwards. David portrays Yahweh not as a distant deity but as a passionate warrior King who personally engages in cosmic battle for His anointed. The thundering from the heavens and the voice of the Most High are more than sound and light; they are tangible expressions of God's decree and power. The imagery of hailstones and coals of fire drawn from plague accounts and storm imagery underscores the intensity of God's opposition to David's enemies, portraying these natural forces as divine artillery. This is not mere poetic flourish but theological truth: God governs and commands creation itself to serve His redemptive purposes. He descends to save His chosen ones, demonstrating His unique sovereignty over nature and history, thereby humbling any false gods or human powers who would challenge His dominion. For David, it was real and personal deliverance; for believers, it signifies God's willingness and ability to fight for His people against all odds, confirming that His promise to protect His own is upheld by overwhelming, irresistible might. It teaches reliance on God, not earthly strength, as the ultimate source of salvation and victory.