Psalms 21:9
Thou shalt make them as a fiery oven in the time of thine anger: the LORD shall swallow them up in his wrath, and the fire shall devour them.
Original Language Analysis
תְּשִׁיתֵ֤מוֹ׀
Thou shalt make
H7896
תְּשִׁיתֵ֤מוֹ׀
Thou shalt make
Strong's:
H7896
Word #:
1 of 10
to place (in a very wide application)
לְעֵ֪ת
in the time
H6256
לְעֵ֪ת
in the time
Strong's:
H6256
Word #:
4 of 10
time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc
פָּ֫נֶ֥יךָ
of thine anger
H6440
פָּ֫נֶ֥יךָ
of thine anger
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
5 of 10
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יְ֭הוָה
the LORD
H3068
יְ֭הוָה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
6 of 10
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
בְּאַפּ֣וֹ
in his wrath
H639
בְּאַפּ֣וֹ
in his wrath
Strong's:
H639
Word #:
7 of 10
properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire
יְבַלְּעֵ֑ם
shall swallow them up
H1104
יְבַלְּעֵ֑ם
shall swallow them up
Strong's:
H1104
Word #:
8 of 10
to make away with (specifically by swallowing); generally, to destroy
Cross References
Malachi 4:1For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.Psalms 50:3Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him.Psalms 18:8There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.Lamentations 2:2The Lord hath swallowed up all the habitations of Jacob, and hath not pitied: he hath thrown down in his wrath the strong holds of the daughter of Judah; he hath brought them down to the ground: he hath polluted the kingdom and the princes thereof.2 Thessalonians 1:8In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:Isaiah 26:11LORD, when thy hand is lifted up, they will not see: but they shall see, and be ashamed for their envy at the people; yea, the fire of thine enemies shall devour them.Psalms 2:5Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.Psalms 2:12Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.Nahum 1:6Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him.Deuteronomy 32:22For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains.
Historical Context
Fiery ovens were used for metalworking and pottery—materials were completely consumed or transformed. This metaphor would resonate with ancient audiences familiar with industrial furnaces. The verse assures God's people that evil will be utterly destroyed.
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding God's wrath deepen your appreciation for Christ's substitutionary atonement?
- What should the certainty of divine judgment motivate in your life today?
Analysis & Commentary
The imagery of God's wrath as a 'fiery oven' consuming enemies reveals His holy hatred of sin and sovereign judgment. Reformed theology emphasizes God's wrath as a necessary attribute of His holiness—He cannot tolerate evil. This verse anticipates final judgment when God's enemies will face His consuming fire (2 Thess. 1:7-9). The king serves as God's instrument, but ultimate judgment belongs to the LORD alone.