Psa 18:7-19 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Ps 18:7-15: 18:7-15 The psalmist depicts the Lord’s descent from heaven to earth with phenomena such as earthquakes, flames, smoke, darkness, and rain. Creation shudders at God’s marvelous coming as the Divine Warrior (see 97:2-5 ) and Judge (see 50:1-6 ). 18:7 The destabilization of the whole earth will be a means of God’s judgment (77:17-18 ; 96:9 ; 97:4 ; 99:1 ; 104:32 ; Isa 29:6 ; Mic 1:3-4 ; Nah 1:2-6 ; Hag 2:7 , 21 ).

Summary for Ps 18:7-15: 18:7-15 ^a The psalmist depicts the Lord’s descent from heaven to earth with phenomena such as earthquakes, flames, smoke, darkness, and rain. Creation shudders at God’s marvelous coming as the Divine Warrior (see 97:2-5 ^b) and Judge (see 50:1-6 ^c). 18:7 ^d The destabilization of the whole earth will be a means of God’s judgment (77:17-18 ^e; 96:9 ^f; 97:4 ^g; 99:1 ^h; 104:32 ⁱ; Isa 29:6 ^j; Mic 1:3-4 ^k; Nah 1:2-6 ^l; Hag 2:7 ^m, 21 ⁿ).
18:8 ^o his nostrils ... his mouth: The psalmist likens God to an angry person or a fierce creature (see Job 41:12-22 ^p).

• The terrifying images of smoke, flames, and glowing coals express God’s wrath against sin.
Summary for Ps 18:9-11: 18:9-11 ^q The Lord’s sovereignty extends over all of nature (see 104:2-4 ^r; 148:5-6 ^s).
18:10 ^t a mighty angelic being (Hebrew a cherub): See study notes on 1 Chr 28:18; 2 Chr 3:10-13.
18:19 ^u Because God loves and delights in the psalmist (see 18:1 ^v), he will save him (37:23 ^w; 41:11 ^x; 91:14-16 ^y).