Psalms 18:13
The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail stones and coals of fire.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּרְעֵ֬ם
also thundered
H7481
וַיַּרְעֵ֬ם
also thundered
Strong's:
H7481
Word #:
1 of 9
to tumble, i.e., be violently agitated; specifically, to crash (of thunder); figuratively, to irritate (with anger)
בַּשָּׁמַ֨יִם׀
in the heavens
H8064
בַּשָּׁמַ֨יִם׀
in the heavens
Strong's:
H8064
Word #:
2 of 9
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
יְֽהוָ֗ה
The LORD
H3068
יְֽהוָ֗ה
The LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 9
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְ֭עֶלְיוֹן
and the Highest
H5945
וְ֭עֶלְיוֹן
and the Highest
Strong's:
H5945
Word #:
4 of 9
an elevation, i.e., (adjectively) lofty (comparatively); as title, the supreme
יִתֵּ֣ן
gave
H5414
יִתֵּ֣ן
gave
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
5 of 9
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
Cross References
Psalms 104:7At thy rebuke they fled; at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away.1 Samuel 7:10And as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel: but the LORD thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines, and discomfited them; and they were smitten before Israel.Psalms 140:10Let burning coals fall upon them: let them be cast into the fire; into deep pits, that they rise not up again.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern cultures often associated thunder with divine speech, but Israel uniquely understood Yahweh's voice as personal communication, not mere natural phenomenon.
Questions for Reflection
- How attentively do you listen for God's voice in Scripture and providence?
- What does God speaking in power teach about taking His word seriously?
Analysis & Commentary
Yahweh thundered from heaven; the Most High uttered His voice with hail and coals. The Hebrew 'ra'am' (thunder) represents God's voice (John 12:29, Revelation 4:5). The divine voice accompanied by hail recalls Sinai's thunder and lightning (Exodus 19:16). This anticipates Christ as the Word, God's ultimate communication. Reformed theology sees God's speech as creative and powerful—accomplishing what it declares (Isaiah 55:11).