Psalm 83:14

Translations

Modern

As fire consumes a forest, as a flame sets the mountains ablaze,

Traditional

As the fire burneth a wood, and as the flame setteth the mountains on fire;

Literal

As the fire burns a forest, and as the flame sets the mountains on fire,

Latin

Sicut ignis qui comburit silvam, et sicut flamma comburens montes,

Original

Hebrew

English

As fire consumes a forest, as a flame sets the mountains ablaze,

Notes

Psalms 83:14–15

fire … flame … tempest: These images describe how God appears when he brings judgment (see Isaiah 29:6).

Psalms 83:9–18

The psalmist prays that God will miraculously destroy the new coalition as he did three other enemies; doing so would bring him glory.

Psalms 83:1–18

This community lament asks God to rescue his people and give them victory. The short and direct poetry suggests a time of great trouble. A strong group of nations plans to destroy Israel (Psalm 83:1–4) and joins together against God (83:5–8).

The psalmist remembers what happened to other enemies who attacked Israel in the past (Psalm 83:9–12). He prays that the same thing will happen to these enemies (83:13–16), so that they will recognize God’s power and give him honor (83:17–18).

It is not clear whether this psalm refers to one specific historical event or whether it gathers together several nations as a poetic picture of Israel’s enemies.

Related verses

Deuteronomy 32:22
For a fire has been kindled by My anger, and it burns to the depths of Sheol; it consumes the earth and its produce, and scorches the foundations of the mountains.
Malachi 4:1
“For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace, when all the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble; the day is coming when I will set them ablaze,” says the LORD of Hosts. “Not a root or branch will be left to them.”
Isaiah 9:18
For wickedness burns like a fire that consumes the thorns and briers and kindles the forest thickets, which roll upward in billows of smoke.
Ezekiel 20:47–48
Say to the forest of the Negev: Hear the word of the LORD! This is what the Lord GOD says: I am about to ignite in you a fire, and it will devour all your trees, both green and dry. The blazing flame will not be quenched, and by it every face from south to north will be scorched.
Nahum 1:10
For they will be entangled as with thorns and consumed like the drink of a drunkard—like stubble that is fully dry.
Isaiah 64:1–2
If only You would rend the heavens and come down, so that mountains would quake at Your presence,
Isaiah 33:11–12
You conceive chaff; you give birth to stubble. Your breath is a fire that will consume you.
Isaiah 30:33
For Topheth has long been prepared; it has been made ready for the king. Its funeral pyre is deep and wide, with plenty of fire and wood. The breath of the LORD, like a torrent of burning sulfur, sets it ablaze.
Nahum 1:6
Who can withstand His indignation? Who can endure His burning anger? His wrath is poured out like fire; even rocks are shattered before Him.

Glossary

Asaph Music Psalms, Book of

Topics

Afflictions and Adversities: Prayer In Prayer: Imprecatory

Psalm 83:14

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Related verses?

Glossary?

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