“Then the earth reeled and rocked; the foundations also of the mountains trembled and quaked, because he was angry. Smoke went up from his nostrils, and devouring fire from his mouth; glowing coals flamed forth from him. He bowed the heavens and came down; thick darkness was under his feet. He rode on a cherub and flew; he came swiftly on the wings of the wind. He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him, thick clouds dark with water. Out of the brightness before him hailstones and coals of fire broke through his clouds. The Lord also thundered in the heavens, and the Most High uttered his voice, hailstones and coals of fire. And he sent out his arrows and scattered them; he flashed forth lightnings and routed them. Then the channels of the sea were seen, and the foundations of the world were laid bare at your rebuke, O Lord, at the blast of the breath of your nostrils.” -Psalm 18:7–15
The dramatic language David uses recounts the Lord’s visitation to the children of Israel at Sinai (Exodus 19). Because God does not have form, his visage is described in frightening terms of a violent natural storm. This unleashing of judgment directed toward the enemies of God on account of David’s prayer is a comforting reminder of God’s power executed on behalf of the righteous. But it also serves as a sobering reminder of God’s holiness and His intolerant reaction toward evil. By God’s grace, may we always be on the right side of his holy vengeance on sin. In Christ, we can be (1 John 2:1-2).