Psalm 83:14
ESV
As fire consumes the forest, as the flame sets the mountains ablaze,
NIV
As fire consumes the forest or a flame sets the mountains ablaze,
NASB
Like fire that burns the forest, And like a flame that sets the mountains on fire,
CSB
As fire burns a forest, as a flame blazes through mountains,
NLT
As a fire burns a forest and as a flame sets mountains ablaze,
KJV
As the fire burneth a wood, and as the flame setteth the mountains on fire;
NKJV
As the fire burns the woods, And as the flame sets the mountains on fire,
What does Psalm 83:14 mean?
Israel's climate would allow dry wood, weeds, briars, and twigs to accumulate, posing the risk of a sudden fire. The book of Judges mentions this as part of a prophetic warning (Judges 9:14–15). Elijah witnessed a fire as part of a dramatic encounter (1 Kings 19:11–12). Isaiah describes a forest fire (Isaiah 10:17–19), and later speaks of the Lord judging the enemies of Israel "with thunder and with earthquake and great noise, with whirlwind and tempest, and the flame of a devouring fire" (Isaiah 29:6). Some of the same images are used here in Asaph's appeal for God to punish Israel's enemies (Psalm 83:4–8).The next verse continues this "imprecation:" a direct call for harm on someone else. Asaph will continue to evoke the power of nature—under God's control—as tool for judgment (Psalm 83:15).
