Fire. — Lightning, as in Psalms 18:12; Psalms 105:32. where it is also found with “hail.”
Vapours. — The same Hebrew word in Genesis 19:28 and Psalms 119:83 is rendered “smoke,” and from the use of the cognate verb is certainly connected with “burning.” Hence we probably have here the figure chiasmus (fire and hail, snow and smoke), the smoke answering to the fire, as the snow to the hail. On the other hand, from Psalms 18:8; Psalms 144:5, it is plain that the driving mists of a storm were regarded as smoke. (Comp. “The smoky mountain tops.” — TENNYSON.)
This invocation of the powers of the air is a fine poetic touch, and shows the freedom of lyric treatment of the story of Creation, which in Genesis passes at once from the monsters of the deep to the land and its creatures. To the poet there is another region of life and power; other voices, which, though wild and fierce, may yet join in the grand anthem of praise.
Stormy wind. — As in Psalms 107:25. This, to us, free and uncontrollable agent is yet but a messenger of Jehovah, fulfilling his word (Psalms 104:4).