Contradiction with 1 John 1:5
This verse states that "God is light, and in him is no darkness at all," which contradicts Psalms 18:11 where God is described as having darkness around Him.
1 John 1:5: This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
Contradiction with James 1:17
This verse says that God is the "Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning," contradicting the depiction of God in Psalms 18:11 as being surrounded by darkness.
James 1:17: Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
Contradiction with 1 Timothy 6:16
This verse describes God as dwelling in "light which no man can approach unto," conflicting with Psalms 18:11 which portrays Him as being hidden in darkness.
1 Timothy 6:16: Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom [be] honour and power everlasting. Amen.
Contradiction with John 8:12
Jesus, identifying as "the light of the world," suggests a nature of pure light, contrasting with the imagery of darkness associated with God in Psalms 18:11.
John 8:12: Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
Contradiction with Revelation 21:23
This verse describes the glory of God as a light that removes the need for the sun or moon, differing from the portrayal of God in darkness in Psalms 18:11.
Revelation 21:23: And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb [is] the light thereof.
Paradox #1
The verse might seem contradictory because it describes God in a way that suggests hiding or being surrounded by darkness, which could conflict with the concept of God as a being of pure light and transparency in other parts of the Bible. This could raise questions about how these descriptions align with each other.
Paradox #2
This verse describes God using poetic imagery involving darkness and clouds. The potential scientific inconsistency lies in the description of physical elements like darkness and clouds as being part of a barrier or dwelling, which does not align with our understanding of clouds and light. Scientifically, darkness is simply the absence of light and cannot be a physical barrier, and clouds are water vapor that don't function as protective coverings. The verse, however, is meant to be metaphorical rather than literal.