Psalms 11:6
Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup.
Original Language Analysis
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
2 of 10
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
רְשָׁעִ֗ים
Upon the wicked
H7563
רְשָׁעִ֗ים
Upon the wicked
Strong's:
H7563
Word #:
3 of 10
morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person
וְ֭גָפְרִית
and brimstone
H1614
וְ֭גָפְרִית
and brimstone
Strong's:
H1614
Word #:
6 of 10
properly, cypress-resin; by analogy, sulphur (as equally inflammable)
וְר֥וּחַ
tempest
H7307
וְר֥וּחַ
tempest
Strong's:
H7307
Word #:
7 of 10
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
זִלְעָפ֗וֹת
and an horrible
H2152
זִלְעָפ֗וֹת
and an horrible
Strong's:
H2152
Word #:
8 of 10
a glow (of wind or anger); also a famine (as consuming)
Cross References
Genesis 19:24Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven;Ezekiel 38:22And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood; and I will rain upon him, and upon his bands, and upon the many people that are with him, an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone.Ezekiel 13:13Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; I will even rend it with a stormy wind in my fury; and there shall be an overflowing shower in mine anger, and great hailstones in my fury to consume it.Psalms 75:8For in the hand of the LORD there is a cup, and the wine is red; it is full of mixture; and he poureth out of the same: but the dregs thereof, all the wicked of the earth shall wring them out, and drink them.Luke 17:29But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.Job 20:23When he is about to fill his belly, God shall cast the fury of his wrath upon him, and shall rain it upon him while he is eating.Job 18:15It shall dwell in his tabernacle, because it is none of his: brimstone shall be scattered upon his habitation.Psalms 105:32He gave them hail for rain, and flaming fire in their land.John 18:11Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?Habakkuk 2:16Thou art filled with shame for glory: drink thou also, and let thy foreskin be uncovered: the cup of the LORD'S right hand shall be turned unto thee, and shameful spewing shall be on thy glory.
Historical Context
Written with reference to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19), which became Israel's paradigmatic example of divine judgment against wickedness.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you reconcile God's love with His wrath against sin?
- What does the certainty of judgment teach about the seriousness of sin?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
This verse describes God's judgment using the imagery of Sodom and Gomorrah—fire, brimstone, and scorching wind. The 'cup' metaphor appears throughout Scripture as God's wrath (Jeremiah 25:15, Revelation 14:10). Reformed theology sees this as God's active judgment, not mere natural consequences. The 'portion of their cup' indicates appointed, measured judgment—God's justice is exact, not capricious.