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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 97:3 Fire goes before Him and consumes His foes on every side.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/97-3.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/2/19_Psa_097_003.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 97:3 - Let the Earth Rejoice" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Fire goes before Him and consumes His foes on every side." /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad3.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/psalms/97-2.htm" title="Psalm 97:2">◄</a> Psalm 97:3 <a href="/psalms/97-4.htm" title="Psalm 97:4">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/psalms/97.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/psalms/97.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Fire goes before him and consumes his foes on every side.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/97.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Fire spreads ahead of him and burns up all his foes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/97.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Fire goes before him and burns up his adversaries all around.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/97.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Fire goes before Him and consumes His foes on every side.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/97.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/97.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />A fire goes before Him, And burns up His enemies round about.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/97.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Fire goes before Him And burns up His enemies all around.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/97.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Fire goes before Him And burns up His adversaries round about.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/97.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Fire goes before Him, And burns up His adversaries round about.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/97.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Fire goes before Him And burns up His adversaries all around.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/97.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Fire goes before Him And burns up His adversaries on all sides.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/97.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Fire goes before him and burns up his foes on every side.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/97.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Fire goes before Him and burns up His foes on every side. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/97.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />A fire goeth before him, And burneth up his adversaries round about.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/97.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Fire leaps from his throne, destroying his enemies, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/97.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his adversaries round about.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/97.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Fire spreads ahead of him. It burns his enemies who surround him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/97.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Fire goes in front of him and burns up his enemies around him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/97.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Fire goes out from his presence to consume his enemies on every side.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/97.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Fire goes before Him and consumes His foes on every side.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/97.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Fire goes before him; on every side it burns up his enemies. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/97.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />A fire goes before him, and burns up his adversaries on every side.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/97.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/97.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />A fire goes before him, and burns up his adversaries on every side. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/97.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Fire goes before Him, "" And burns around His adversaries.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/97.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Fire before Him goeth, And burneth round about His adversaries.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/97.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Fire shall go before him and shall burn up his enemies round about.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/97.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />A fire shall go before him, and shall burn his enemies round about. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/97.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 96:3>A fire will precede him, and it will enflame his enemies all around.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/97.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Fire goes before him, consuming his foes on every side. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/97.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Fire goes before him, and consumes his adversaries on every side.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/97.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Fire goes before him, and burns up his enemies round about.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/97.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Fire will devour before him and will burn up his enemies.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/97.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />A fire goeth before Him, And burneth up His adversaries round about.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/97.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Fire shall go before him, and burn up his enemies round about.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/97-3.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=12125" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/97.htm">Let the Earth Rejoice</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">2</span>Clouds and darkness surround Him; righteousness and justice are His throne’s foundation. <span class="reftext">3</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/784.htm" title="784: ’êš (N-cs) -- A fire. A primitive word; fire.">Fire</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: tê·lêḵ (V-Qal-Imperf-3fs) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">goes</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: lə·p̄ā·nāw (Prep-l:: N-cpc:: 3ms) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">before Him</a> <a href="/hebrew/3857.htm" title="3857: ū·ṯə·la·hêṭ (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConjImperf-3fs) -- To blaze up, flame. A primitive root; properly, to lick, i.e. to blaze.">and consumes</a> <a href="/hebrew/6862.htm" title="6862: ṣā·rāw (N-mpc:: 3ms) -- Narrow, a tight place, a pebble, an opponent. Or tsar; from tsarar; narrow; a tight place; also a pebble; an opponent.">His foes</a> <a href="/hebrew/5439.htm" title="5439: sā·ḇîḇ (Adv) -- Circuit, round about. Or cbiybah; from cabab; a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly around.">on every side.</a> </span><span class="reftext">4</span>His lightning illuminates the world; the earth sees and trembles.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/19-18.htm">Exodus 19:18</a></span><br />Mount Sinai was completely enveloped in smoke, because the LORD had descended on it in fire. And the smoke rose like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked violently.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/4-24.htm">Deuteronomy 4:24</a></span><br />For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/66-15.htm">Isaiah 66:15-16</a></span><br />For behold, the LORD will come with fire—His chariots are like a whirlwind—to execute His anger with fury and His rebuke with flames of fire. / For by fire and by His sword, the LORD will execute judgment on all flesh, and many will be slain by the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_thessalonians/1-7.htm">2 Thessalonians 1:7-8</a></span><br />and to grant relief to you who are oppressed and to us as well. This will take place when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels / in blazing fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/12-29.htm">Hebrews 12:29</a></span><br />“For our God is a consuming fire.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/19-11.htm">Revelation 19:11-12</a></span><br />Then I saw heaven standing open, and there before me was a white horse. And its rider is called Faithful and True. With righteousness He judges and wages war. / He has eyes like blazing fire, and many royal crowns on His head. He has a name written on Him that only He Himself knows.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/30-27.htm">Isaiah 30:27-30</a></span><br />Behold, the Name of the LORD comes from afar, with burning anger and dense smoke. His lips are full of fury, and His tongue is like a consuming fire. / His breath is like a rushing torrent that rises to the neck. He comes to sift the nations in a sieve of destruction; He bridles the jaws of the peoples to lead them astray. / You will sing as on the night of a holy festival, and your heart will rejoice like one who walks to the music of a flute, going up to the mountain of the LORD, to the Rock of Israel. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nahum/1-5.htm">Nahum 1:5-6</a></span><br />The mountains quake before Him, and the hills melt away; the earth trembles at His presence—the world and all its dwellers. / Who can withstand His indignation? Who can endure His burning anger? His wrath is poured out like fire; even rocks are shattered before Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/malachi/4-1.htm">Malachi 4:1</a></span><br />“For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace, when all the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble; the day is coming when I will set them ablaze,” says the LORD of Hosts. “Not a root or branch will be left to them.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_peter/3-10.htm">2 Peter 3:10</a></span><br />But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and its works will be laid bare.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/1-14.htm">Revelation 1:14-15</a></span><br />The hair of His head was white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes were like a blazing fire. / His feet were like polished bronze refined in a furnace, and His voice was like the roar of many waters.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/7-9.htm">Daniel 7:9-10</a></span><br />As I continued to watch, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took His seat. His clothing was white as snow, and the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze. / A river of fire was flowing, coming out from His presence. Thousands upon thousands attended Him, and myriads upon myriads stood before Him. The court was convened, and the books were opened.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/33-14.htm">Isaiah 33:14</a></span><br />The sinners in Zion are afraid; trembling grips the ungodly: “Who of us can dwell with a consuming fire? Who of us can dwell with everlasting flames?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/1-4.htm">Ezekiel 1:4</a></span><br />I looked and saw a whirlwind coming from the north, a great cloud with fire flashing back and forth and brilliant light all around it. In the center of the fire was a gleam like amber,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/3-11.htm">Matthew 3:11-12</a></span><br />I baptize you with water for repentance, but after me will come One more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. / His winnowing fork is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and to gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">A fire goes before him, and burns up his enemies round about.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/18-8.htm">Psalm 18:8</a></b></br> There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/21-8.htm">Psalm 21:8,9</a></b></br> Thine hand shall find out all thine enemies: thy right hand shall find out those that hate thee… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/50-3.htm">Psalm 50:3</a></b></br> Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/92-11.htm">Adversaries</a> <a href="/psalms/83-14.htm">Burneth</a> <a href="/psalms/89-46.htm">Burning</a> <a href="/psalms/83-14.htm">Burns</a> <a href="/psalms/83-14.htm">Consumes</a> <a href="/psalms/92-11.htm">Enemies</a> <a href="/psalms/89-46.htm">Fire</a> <a href="/psalms/92-11.htm">Foes</a> <a href="/psalms/86-3.htm">Goes</a> <a href="/psalms/97-2.htm">Round</a> <a href="/psalms/91-7.htm">Side</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/105-24.htm">Adversaries</a> <a href="/psalms/106-18.htm">Burneth</a> <a href="/psalms/106-40.htm">Burning</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-25.htm">Burns</a> <a href="/psalms/119-139.htm">Consumes</a> <a href="/psalms/102-8.htm">Enemies</a> <a href="/psalms/102-3.htm">Fire</a> <a href="/psalms/105-24.htm">Foes</a> <a href="/psalms/103-16.htm">Goes</a> <a href="/psalms/109-3.htm">Round</a> <a href="/psalms/101-3.htm">Side</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 97</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/97-1.htm">The majesty of God's kingdom</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/97-7.htm">The church rejoices at God's judgments upon idolaters</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/97-10.htm">An exhortation to godliness and gladness</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/97.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/psalms/97.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Fire goes before Him</b><br>This phrase evokes the imagery of God's presence and power, often associated with fire in the Bible. In <a href="/exodus/13-21.htm">Exodus 13:21</a>, God leads the Israelites with a pillar of fire by night, symbolizing guidance and protection. Fire represents God's holiness and judgment, as seen in <a href="/deuteronomy/4-24.htm">Deuteronomy 4:24</a>, where God is described as a "consuming fire." The presence of fire signifies God's purifying and refining nature, as well as His ability to lead and protect His people.<p><b>and consumes His foes</b><br>The consuming fire indicates God's judgment against His enemies. This is reminiscent of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in <a href="/genesis/19.htm">Genesis 19</a>, where fire and brimstone rained down as divine judgment. In the New Testament, <a href="/2_thessalonians/1-7.htm">2 Thessalonians 1:7-8</a> speaks of Jesus being revealed from heaven in blazing fire, taking vengeance on those who do not know God. This phrase underscores the certainty of divine justice and the ultimate triumph of God's righteousness over wickedness.<p><b>on every side</b><br>The phrase "on every side" emphasizes the totality and completeness of God's judgment. It suggests that no enemy can escape His righteous wrath. This is consistent with the biblical theme of God's omnipotence and omnipresence, as seen in <a href="/psalms/139-7.htm">Psalm 139:7-10</a>, where the psalmist acknowledges that there is no place to flee from God's presence. The comprehensive nature of God's judgment assures believers of His sovereign control over all creation and His ability to protect and vindicate His people.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The central figure in this verse, depicted as a powerful and sovereign deity whose presence is accompanied by fire.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/e/enemies/foes.htm">Enemies/Foes</a></b><br>Those who oppose God, symbolizing evil or unrighteousness that stands against divine will.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/f/fire.htm">Fire</a></b><br>A symbol of God's judgment and purifying presence, often used in the Bible to represent His holiness and power.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_power.htm">God's Sovereignty and Power</a></b><br>God's presence is powerful and uncontainable, symbolized by fire that goes before Him. This reminds us of His ultimate authority over all creation.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/j/judgment_and_righteousness.htm">Judgment and Righteousness</a></b><br>The consuming fire represents God's judgment against sin and unrighteousness. It calls believers to live in holiness and align with God's will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/purification_and_refinement.htm">Purification and Refinement</a></b><br>Just as fire refines gold, God's presence purifies His people. Believers are encouraged to allow God's refining work in their lives, removing impurities and growing in righteousness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/protection_and_deliverance.htm">Protection and Deliverance</a></b><br>For those who are aligned with God, His consuming fire is a source of protection, consuming the threats and enemies that surround them.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_97.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 97</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_is_'fire'_reconciled_with_god's_love.htm">If “fire goes before Him” (Psalm 97:3), how is that reconciled with the Bible’s portrayal of a loving God? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/psalm_50_3__literal_fire_tempest_proof.htm">In Psalm 50:3, how can a consuming fire and tempest be taken literally if no historical account exists of such a phenomenon?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_depict_unverified_supernatural_events.htm">Why does this chapter depict supernatural phenomena (Psalm 97:2-5) that have no corroboration in recorded natural history?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_psalm_124_3_metaphorical_or_unverified.htm">Psalm 124:3 describes enemies swallowing Israel alive, but there is no archaeological evidence of such an event. Could this be metaphorical, or is it historically unverified?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/97.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(3) This is an echo of <a href="/psalms/1-3.htm" title="And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.">Psalm 1:3</a>. (Comp. also <a href="/psalms/18-8.htm" title="There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.">Psalm 18:8</a>; <a href="/context/habakkuk/3-4.htm" title="And his brightness was as the light; he had horns coming out of his hand: and there was the hiding of his power.">Habakkuk 3:4-5</a>.)<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/97.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 3.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">A fire goeth before him.</span> So long as there is evil in the world, the "fire" of God's wrath must necessarily "go before him" at each theophany, to sweep the evil from his path (see <a href="/isaiah/42-25.htm">Isaiah 42:25</a>). It is in this sense that "our God is a consuming fire" (<a href="/hebrews/12-29.htm">Hebrews 12:29</a>). <span class="cmt_word">And burneth up his enemies round about</span> (comp. <a href="/psalms/50-8.htm">Psalm 50:8</a>; <a href="/matthew/13-30.htm">Matthew 13:30</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/97-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Fire</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵ֭שׁ</span> <span class="translit">(’êš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_784.htm">Strong's 784: </a> </span><span class="str2">A fire</span><br /><br /><span class="word">goes</span><br /><span class="heb">תֵּלֵ֑ךְ</span> <span class="translit">(tê·lêḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go, come, walk</span><br /><br /><span class="word">before Him</span><br /><span class="heb">לְפָנָ֣יו</span> <span class="translit">(lə·p̄ā·nāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> </span><span class="str2">The face</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and consumes</span><br /><span class="heb">וּתְלַהֵ֖ט</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ṯə·la·hêṭ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive imperfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3857.htm">Strong's 3857: </a> </span><span class="str2">To blaze up, flame</span><br /><br /><span class="word">His foes</span><br /><span class="heb">צָרָֽיו׃</span> <span class="translit">(ṣā·rāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6862.htm">Strong's 6862: </a> </span><span class="str2">Narrow, a tight place, a pebble, an opponent</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on every side.</span><br /><span class="heb">סָבִ֣יב</span> <span class="translit">(sā·ḇîḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5439.htm">Strong's 5439: </a> </span><span class="str2">A circle, neighbour, environs, around</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/97-3.htm">Psalm 97:3 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/97-3.htm">Psalm 97:3 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/97-3.htm">Psalm 97:3 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/97-3.htm">Psalm 97:3 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/97-3.htm">Psalm 97:3 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/97-3.htm">Psalm 97:3 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/97-3.htm">Psalm 97:3 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/97-3.htm">Psalm 97:3 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/97-3.htm">Psalm 97:3 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/97-3.htm">Psalm 97:3 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/97-3.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 97:3 A fire goes before him and burns (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/97-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 97:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 97:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/97-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 97:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 97:4" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>