Psalms 50:3

In the preceding verses the Theophany is described as already visibly beginning. Instead of simply continuing that description, the poet-seer "imagines himself as an eager and interested spectator," and prays God to come near and declare His will:

Let our God come, and not keep silence!

Fire devoureth before him,

And round about him it is very tempestuous.

See Driver, Hebrew Tenses, § 58; and for similar constructions cp. Psalms 41:2 (note); Isaiah 2:9.

Lightnings and storm are the outward symbols which express the awfulness of God's coming to judgement. He is -a consuming fire" (Deuteronomy 4:24; Deuteronomy 9:3; Hebrews 12:29) devouring His enemies; an irresistible whirlwind (Psalms 58:9), sweeping them away like chaff (Psalms 1:4; Isaiah 29:5). Cp. Exodus 19:16; Exodus 19:18; Isaiah 29:6; Psalms 18:7 ff; Psalms 97:2 ff.