God’s power can shatter darkness and protect His children.
David, who lived from about 1040 BC to 970 BC and served as king of Israel, wrote Psalm 18 to praise the LORD for deliverance from his enemies. In this portion of his song of gratitude and awe, he proclaims: “From the brightness before Him passed His thick clouds, Hailstones and coals of fire.” (v.12) This vivid portrayal underscores God’s majestic glory—the brightness is so intense that even the thickest clouds cannot hide Him. The destructive elements of hailstones and coals of fire point to the powerful way God can judge wickedness and protect those who trust in Him. David witnessed firsthand how God intervened in battles on his behalf, suggesting that God’s brightness not only reveals His holiness, but also defends those who take refuge in Him.
When David states, “From the brightness before Him passed His thick clouds,” (v.12) he depicts a dramatic scene in which God’s presence emerges through a shroud of darkness. While no physical location is named here, David’s experiences took place largely in the land of Israel, including areas near Jerusalem. The imagery of the Lord breaking forth with unstoppable radiance calls to mind later New Testament teachings which depict Jesus as the “Light of the world” (reference John 8:12). Just as light scatters darkness, God’s presence pierces the most formidable obstacles to rescue His people.
“Hailstones and coals of fire” convey the overwhelming force of divine intervention. The language echoes other scriptural examples where God demonstrates His power over nature and kings—reminding believers that His authority transcends any earthly power (reference Exodus 9:24). For David, this psalm is not mere poetry but an affirmation of God’s unshakable sovereignty and ability to deliver the faithful from peril. He expresses amazement that the same unstoppable might that can bring judgment to evildoers also safeguards the ones He loves.
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Psalms 18:12 meaning
David, who lived from about 1040 BC to 970 BC and served as king of Israel, wrote Psalm 18 to praise the LORD for deliverance from his enemies. In this portion of his song of gratitude and awe, he proclaims: “From the brightness before Him passed His thick clouds, Hailstones and coals of fire.” (v.12) This vivid portrayal underscores God’s majestic glory—the brightness is so intense that even the thickest clouds cannot hide Him. The destructive elements of hailstones and coals of fire point to the powerful way God can judge wickedness and protect those who trust in Him. David witnessed firsthand how God intervened in battles on his behalf, suggesting that God’s brightness not only reveals His holiness, but also defends those who take refuge in Him.
When David states, “From the brightness before Him passed His thick clouds,” (v.12) he depicts a dramatic scene in which God’s presence emerges through a shroud of darkness. While no physical location is named here, David’s experiences took place largely in the land of Israel, including areas near Jerusalem. The imagery of the Lord breaking forth with unstoppable radiance calls to mind later New Testament teachings which depict Jesus as the “Light of the world” (reference John 8:12). Just as light scatters darkness, God’s presence pierces the most formidable obstacles to rescue His people.
“Hailstones and coals of fire” convey the overwhelming force of divine intervention. The language echoes other scriptural examples where God demonstrates His power over nature and kings—reminding believers that His authority transcends any earthly power (reference Exodus 9:24). For David, this psalm is not mere poetry but an affirmation of God’s unshakable sovereignty and ability to deliver the faithful from peril. He expresses amazement that the same unstoppable might that can bring judgment to evildoers also safeguards the ones He loves.