What does Psalm 21:9 mean?
The assembled people expect David to overcome his enemies as thoroughly as a furnace burns its fuel. The congregation sees this devouring of David's enemies as an act of the Lord. They state that the Lord will execute His wrath on the enemies and consume them.Fire is a common biblical metaphor for the judgment of God. Psalm 89:46 describes the Lord's wrath as burning like fire. Psalm 97:3 says, "Fire goes before [the Lord] and burns up his adversaries all around." Using similar language, Malachi assures us: "Behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the LORD of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch" (Malachi 4:1).
At the Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11–15) all unbelievers will be cast into the lake of fire. Those who spurn God's offer of salvation and reject the Savior will perish (John 3:16–18).