Psalms 83:14

14 Like ¹fire that burns the forest And like a flame that ²sets the mountains on fire,

Psalms 83:14 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 83:14

As the fire burneth the wood
Or "forest" ^F13; which is sometimes done purposely, and sometimes through carelessness, as Virgil ^F14 observes; and which is done very easily and swiftly, when fire is set to it; even all the trees of it, great and small, to which an army is sometimes compared, ( Isaiah 10:18 Isaiah 10:19 ) , and as the flame setteth the mountains on fire; either the mountains themselves, as Etna, Vesuvius, and others; or rather the grass and trees that grow upon them, smitten by lightning from heaven, which may be meant by the flame: in like manner it is wished that the fire and flame of divine wrath would consume the confederate enemies of Israel, above mentioned; as wicked men are but as trees of the forest, and the grass of the mountains, or as thorns and briers, to the wrath of God, which is poured out as fire, and is signified by everlasting burnings.

---

FOOTNOTES:

F13 (rey) "sylvam", Montanus, Tigurine version, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator
F14 Georgic. l. 2. v. 310.

Psalms 83:14 In-Context

12 Who said, "Let us possess for ourselves The pastures of God."

13 O my God, make them like the whirling dust, Like chaff before the wind.

14 Like fire that burns the forest And like a flame that sets the mountains on fire,

15 So pursue them with Your tempest And terrify them with Your storm.

16 Fill their faces with dishonor, That they may seek Your name, O LORD .

Cross References

• 1. Isaiah 9:18
• 2. Exodus 19:18; Deuteronomy 32:22