There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.

PSALMS 18:8KJV
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Psalms 18:8 (KJV)

What does Psalms 18:8 mean?

Psalms 18:8 uses vivid language to picture God’s anger and power, describing smoke coming from His nostrils and fire from His mouth that devours, with coals being set ablaze. This verse shows God responding forcefully, as if nature itself reacts to His presence and wrath.

David, the writer of this psalm, is speaking about a time when he was in great danger and felt rescued by God. The verse uses dramatic, almost volcanic images to show how strongly God acted on David’s behalf, making it clear that God’s intervention was powerful and unmistakable.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 18:8

  • "Smoke" (עָשָׁן, ʿāshān): This word often means literal smoke, but here it paints a picture of God’s anger rising like smoke, a common ancient way to show intense emotion.
  • "Nostrils" (אַף, ʾaph): Literally meaning "nose" or "nostrils," this word is also used in Hebrew to mean "anger," so the image of smoke from the nostrils suggests fierce anger.
  • "Devoured" (אָכַל, ʾākhal): This verb means to eat or consume, showing that the fire from God’s mouth is not just for show—it destroys and overcomes whatever stands in its way.
  • "Coals" (גָּחֶלֶת, gaḥélet): These are burning embers, which in this context highlight the intensity and heat of God’s response.

Why Psalms 18:8 matters

  • This verse clears up that the language is not literal but poetic, using natural disasters as symbols for God’s overwhelming power and anger.
  • The verse emphasizes that God’s response to injustice or threats against His people is not mild or distant, but active and forceful.
  • In the wider passage, these images set the stage for the dramatic rescue that follows, showing that David’s deliverance was not just a quiet event, but a moment when God’s might was on full display.

Where else these words appear

“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 18:12 At the brightness that was before him his thick clouds passed, hail stones and coals of fire.
  • Proverbs 26:21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.

“smoke” Hebrew H6227 · used in 24 verses

  • Genesis 15:17 And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces.
  • Job 41:20 Out of his nostrils goeth smoke, as out of a seething pot or caldron.
  • Isaiah 9:18 For wickedness burneth as the fire: it shall devour the briers and thorns, and shall kindle in the thickets of the forest, and they shall mount up like the lifting up of smoke.

“kindled” Hebrew H1197 · used in 90 verses

  • Exodus 3:2 And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.
  • 2 Samuel 22:9 There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.
  • Isaiah 30:33 For Tophet is ordained of old; yea, for the king it is prepared; he hath made it deep and large: the pile thereof is fire and much wood; the breath of the LORD, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it.