An Angel Rides in the Whirlwind: A Commentary

November 17, 2001 | Ironword

[Ironword]

While there are plenty of references to angels and whirlwinds in the Bible, we could not find the exact phrase. Bartlett's quotations includes this reference from Joseph Addison in 1704, "And, please the Almighty's orders to perform, rides in the whirlwind and directs the storm."

Ha, Bartlett's, I should'a known!!! Many thanks.

I suppose this is the original from which Page drew; obviously, "please" refers to one "pleased" to perform the Almighty's orders, that is here an angel. Though where Addison drew inspiration for an angel that "rides in the whirlwind and directs the storm" is still a good question.

The phrase is eloquent, but as noted in the material you posted, it seemed incongruous in the Inaugural. It eloquently implies judgment or chastisement.

[Ironword]

The fog was so extraordinary, one of the British officers contemporaneously wrote of it as a providence effecting Washington's escape -- with the British fleet sitting just downriver, no less.

[Ironword]

And, yes indeed, let us all hope and pray that God will guide and lead our country and our President through this whirlwind of a time.

Yes indeed, bro'.

[IronJack]

Good for you. Your faith is an inspiration.

[Ironword]

At the time I just thought to myself that it was about time a Republican got a decent speech writer.

Ha -- Bush has given some excellent speeches: the address to Congress and that to the UN were remarkable. However, the phrase "angel rides in the whirlwind and directs this storm" strongly connotates judgment or chastisement in a lexicographical sense, with the Bible as lexicon. And the phrase is too close to biblical usage for it to be construed simply as poetry or high rhetoric.

[Pinetop]

As much as I like the insertion of the angel into the harshness of Hosea, I agree with you. The most likely reference is to Joseph Addison 1672-1719 verse "The Campaign" "And, pleas'd th' Almighty's orders to perform, Rides in the whirl-wind, and directs the storm". Pinetop often quotes Addison for "The woman who deliberates is lost."

[freeagle]

What a marvelous discussion. Thank you for introducing it!

[Pinetop]

Ironwood, we came to the same conclusion. We agree. Addison's the man.

[Ironword]

Thanks . . . is "The Campaign" the title of the poem? Obviously, this is from where Page drew his reference, and I wonder what inspired Addison to include the angel?

[AZ Repub]

"However, the phrase "angel rides in the whirlwind and directs this storm" strongly connotates judgment or chastisement in a lexicographical sense, with the Bible as lexicon."

Enlighten me. How does this phrase connote judgement or chastisement? I agree that the phrase has meaning in a lexicographical sense, with the Bible as lexicon, but I think it communicates more of a reference to The Devine Being in charge of our mortal storm by way of the angel that rides the whirlwind and lends direction.

[Pinetop]

Yes, the title of the poem is "The Campaign." It's about the once great Marlbro.

Not to be a recidivist, but is it possible that Addison was making an allusion to Hosea?

[Ironword]

I think the weight-bearing words are "whirlwind" and "storm." Angels can be seen in the Bible to be sent for assistance, announcement, or execution of judgment. Thus it is "whirlwind" and "storm" that qualify the purpose of the angel here. Aside from usage as a natural weather event, "storm" in the Bible is frequently an allegory for adversity. "Whirlwind," as previously noted, almost always connotates judgment. Thus, in a biblical sense, interpretation of the phrase weighs heavily toward judgment.

[Ironword]

Thanks!

[Ironword]

Not to be a recidivist, but is it possible that Addison was making an allusion to Hosea?

I think it very possible, as I don't know of any other place where "whirlwind" and "storm" occur together in the Bible. But then, that would define the phrase "angel in the whirlwind directing this storm" as one specifically describing judgment.

[AZ Repub]

"Whirlwind," as previously noted, almost always connotates judgment.

Gracias. I'm obviously not a student of the Bible. Thank's for the discussion.

[Leroy S. Mort]

Some who have previously commented on this phrase have claimed that Page’s inspiration was the manifestation of the Almighty.....

The source is not biblical. Page paraphrased the British poet Joseph Addison, who wrote "The Campaign" in 1705 to celebrate Marlborough's victory at Blenheim:

"And, please the Almighty's orders to perform, rides in the whirlwind and directs the storm." Line 291.

[Ironword]

Many thanks . . . I knew there'd be folks on FR who would know the original source.

BTW, I apologize to you and all for any intemperate comments on the old Hitchens posts -- I only intended to poke ol' HK.

[Pinetop]

What a wonderfully macabre nom du plum!!
What you might be able to help Ironwood and me with is whether Addison was making an allusion to Hosea's "...reap the whirlwind."
Any English lit/Biblical scholar Freeples?

[Leroy S. Mort]

BTW, I apologize to you and all for any intemperate comments on the old Hitchens posts -- I only intended to poke ol' HK.

Don't recall 'em. After all, "intemperate" and "Chris Hitchins" are kind of synonymous. I'm not a fan.

[Leroy S. Mort]

The Addison quote in context follows:

Amidst confusion, horror, and despair,
Examin'd all the dreadful scenes of war:
In peaceful thought the field of death survey'd,
To fainting squadrons sent the timely aid,
Inspir'd repuls'd battalions to engage,
And taught the doubtful battle where to rage.
So when an angel by divine command
With rising tempests shaks a guilty land,
Such as of late o'er pale Britannia past,
Calm and serene he drives the furious blast;
And, pleas'd th' Almighty's orders to perform,
Rides in the whirlwind, and directs the storm.

But see the haughty houshold troops advance!
The dread of Europe, and the pride of France.
The war's whole art each private soldier knows,
And with a General's love of conquest glows;
Proudly he marches on, and void of fear
Laughs at the shaking of the British spear
etc. etc.

Joseph Addison The Campaign