What does Psalm 18:7 mean?
So far in this psalm, David has praised God for His help and deliverance (Psalm 18:1–5). He recalled when he had cried out to God for rescue (Psalm 18:6). Now David begins to describe God's response to his cry.This passage uses dramatic imagery to describe the power of God. In His anger with Saul, the Lord came to David's defense like a massive earthquake. Just as a mighty tremor ruptures and rocks the earth violently, so God's fury targeted Saul and other enemies of David.
After witnessing the Lord's destruction of Pharaoh's cavalry in the Red Sea, Moses and the people of Israel sang to the Lord. In their song of praise, they observed, "Your right hand, O LORD, glorious in power, your right hand, O LORD, shatters the enemy. In the greatness of your majesty you overthrow your adversaries; you send out your fury; it consumes them like stubble" (Exodus 15:6–7). The writer of Hebrews 10:31 warned, "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."
The Lord knew David was suffering, and He knew Saul was causing the suffering. In a furious display of His anger He judged Saul (1 Samuel 31:1–4).