Psalms 78:48 - Exposition

He gave up their cattle also to the hall (comp. Exodus 9:19-21 , Exodus 9:25 ). And their flocks to hot thunderbolts (see Exodus 9:24 , Exodus 9:28 , Exodus 9:29 , Exodus 9:34 ). The "fire which ran along the ground" ( Exodus 9:23 ) must have been caused by electrified clouds of high tension; the highly charged drops of rain meeting the inductively charged earth, and sparking across when within striking distance. This is believed to accompany every thunderstorm, though generally invisible to the eye. When exceptionally severe, it would convey the idea of running fire, and would of course be very destructive of life. It is no wonder that most of the cattle which were left "in the field" died ( Exodus 9:21 , Exodus 9:25 ).