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

PSALMS 18:13KJV
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Psalms 18:13 (KJV)

What does Psalms 18:13 mean?

Psalms 18:13 describes God’s powerful response from heaven, using thunder, a mighty voice, hailstones, and burning coals to show His overwhelming strength and presence. The verse pictures God as acting dramatically in nature to make His power and authority unmistakable.

In this psalm, David is speaking, reflecting on how God rescued him from his enemies. The verse uses vivid, storm-like imagery to describe God’s intervention, showing that God’s help is not quiet or hidden but comes with unmistakable force. The language emphasizes God’s supremacy and ability to act in ways that shake the world.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 18:13

  • LORD (יְהוָה, Yahweh): This is the personal name for God in the Hebrew Bible, highlighting that it is Israel’s God who is acting powerfully here.
  • thundered (רָעַם, ra‘am): This word means to roar or thunder, often used for the sound of a storm, underlining the awe-inspiring and unmistakable nature of God’s presence.
  • coals (גֶּחָלִים, geḥalim): This word refers to burning coals, which in ancient poetry often symbolize intense heat or judgment, adding to the sense of God’s overwhelming force.

Why Psalms 18:13 matters

  • The verse clears up any idea that God’s actions are distant or subtle; instead, it shows God intervening in a way that is both visible and impossible to ignore.
  • The storm imagery connects this verse to other Old Testament passages where God’s power is revealed through nature, helping readers see a consistent theme of God’s might.
  • Understanding the dramatic language helps the reader appreciate the emotional impact this rescue had for David, who saw God’s help as earth-shaking and unmistakable.

Where else these words appear

“thundered” Hebrew H7481 · used in 13 verses

  • 1 Samuel 1:6 And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb.
  • 1 Chronicles 16:32 Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof: let the fields rejoice, and all that is therein.
  • Psalms 29:3 The voice of the LORD is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the LORD is upon many waters.

“coals” Hebrew H1513 · used in 18 verses

  • Leviticus 16:12 And he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from off the altar before the LORD, and his hands full of sweet incense beaten small, and bring it within the vail:
  • Psalms 18:8 There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.
  • Proverbs 26:21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.

“hail” Hebrew H1259 · used in 26 verses

  • Exodus 9:18 Behold, to morrow about this time I will cause it to rain a very grievous hail, such as hath not been in Egypt since the foundation thereof even until now.
  • Exodus 9:29 And Moses said unto him, As soon as I am gone out of the city, I will spread abroad my hands unto the LORD; and the thunder shall cease, neither shall there be any more hail; that thou mayest know how that the earth is the LORD'S.
  • Psalms 18:12 At the brightness that was before him his thick clouds passed, hail stones and coals of fire.

“Highest” Hebrew H5945 · used in 53 verses

  • Genesis 14:18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.
  • 2 Chronicles 23:20 And he took the captains of hundreds, and the nobles, and the governors of the people, and all the people of the land, and brought down the king from the house of the LORD: and they came through the high gate into the king's house, and set the king upon the throne of the kingdom.
  • Psalms 83:18 That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth.