Psalms 18:8

8 His nostrils flare, bellowing smoke; his mouth spits fire. Tongues of fire dart in and out;

Psalms 18:8 Meaning and Commentary

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 of fire", hot thunderbolts; and the whole is borrowed from, and is an allusion to what was at the giving of the law on Mount Sinai, ( Exodus 19:16 Exodus 19:18 ) ; The majesty of God is here set forth in much such language as is the leviathan in ( Job 41:19-21 ) ; the "smoke of his nostrils" seems to intend the indignation of God against the enemies of David, of Christ, and of his people, and the punishment be will inflict upon them, ( Isaiah 65:5 ) ( Revelation 14:11 ) . The Targum interprets it of the pride and insolence of Pharaoh;

and fire out of his mouth devoured;
God is a wall of fire round about his people, and a consuming one to his and their enemies. This expresses the wrath of God upon the Jewish nation, and his sending the Roman armies to burn their city, ( Matthew 22:7 ) ;

coals were kindled by it;
the Jews being as dry trees, were fit fuel for the fire of divine wrath, and so presently became as coals of fire; so the antichristian party, upon the pouring out of the fourth vial, will be scorched with heat, and blaspheme the name of God, ( Revelation 16:8 Revelation 16:9 ) .

Psalms 18:8 In-Context

6 A hostile world! I call to God, I cry to God to help me. From his palace he hears my call; my cry brings me right into his presence - a private audience!

7 Earth wobbles and lurches; huge mountains shake like leaves, Quake like aspen leaves because of his rage.

8 His nostrils flare, bellowing smoke; his mouth spits fire. Tongues of fire dart in and out;

9 he lowers the sky. He steps down; under his feet an abyss opens up.

10 He's riding a winged creature, swift on wind-wings.