Psalms 18:8

There went up a smoke out of his nostrils— Or, There ascended into his nostrils a smoke, as the words, literally rendered, signify. The ancients placed the seat of anger in the nose, or nostrils, because that passion, when it grows warm and violent, discovers itself by the heated vehement breath which proceeds from them. Hence the physiognomists considered open wide nostrils as a sign of an angry fiery disposition. This description of a smoke arising into, and a fire breaking forth from the nostrils of God, denotes, by a poetical figure, the greatness of his anger and indignation. Fire out of his mouth devoured, means that consuming fire issued out of his mouth. Coals were kindled by it, we render the next clause; but the words do not mean that fire proceeding from God kindled coals, but that burning coals issued from his mouth; and it should be rendered, Living coals from his mouth burned or consumed around him. Chandler.