Psalm 97:3 kjv
A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about.
Psalm 97:3 nkjv
A fire goes before Him, And burns up His enemies round about.
Psalm 97:3 niv
Fire goes before him and consumes his foes on every side.
Psalm 97:3 esv
Fire goes before him and burns up his adversaries all around.
Psalm 97:3 nlt
Fire spreads ahead of him
and burns up all his foes.
Psalm 97 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Deut 4:24 | For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God. | God's nature as fire of holiness and judgment |
| Heb 12:29 | for our God is a consuming fire. | New Testament reaffirmation of God's fiery nature |
| Psa 50:3 | Our God comes; He does not keep silent; a devouring fire before Him... | God's coming with fire as a harbinger of judgment |
| Isa 30:27 | Behold, the Name of the Lord comes from afar... with burning indignation. | Divine judgment manifesting with fire and anger |
| Nah 1:6 | Who can stand before His indignation? His wrath is poured out like fire. | Emphasizes overwhelming and inescapable divine wrath |
| Joel 2:3 | A fire devours before them, and behind them a flame blazes. | Fire imagery for an unstoppable force of judgment |
| Isa 66:15-16 | For behold, the Lord will come with fire... to render His anger with fury. | God's return involving fire for judgment and purging |
| 2 Thess 1:7-8 | when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire. | Christ's future coming in judgment with fire |
| Rev 20:9 | fire came down from heaven and consumed them. | Eschatological consumption of foes by divine fire |
| Gen 19:24 | the Lord rained sulfur and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah. | Historical example of God's judgment by fire |
| Exod 13:21 | The Lord went before them... by night in a pillar of fire. | God's leading presence, also a warning/protection |
| Num 16:35 | Fire came out from the Lord and consumed the 250 men. | Direct judgment of rebels by fire from God |
| Psa 18:8 | Smoke went up from His nostrils, and devouring fire from His mouth. | God's powerful reaction against His adversaries |
| Psa 21:9 | you will make them as a fiery oven in the time of your wrath. | Foes utterly consumed by God's wrath, likened to fire |
| Isa 47:14 | there shall not be a coal to warm oneself, or fire to sit before! | Imagery of utter destruction of adversaries by fire |
| Mal 4:1 | the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all arrogant and evildoers will be stubble. | Day of judgment consuming wicked like fire |
| Zep 1:18 | In the fire of His jealousy, all the earth shall be consumed. | Universal judgment by fire based on God's jealousy |
| Jer 23:29 | Is not my word like fire, declares the Lord, and like a hammer? | God's word's power to consume and break |
| Rev 14:10 | he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the Lamb. | Everlasting punishment by fire for those opposing God |
| Exo 3:2 | the bush was burning with fire, yet the bush was not consumed. | Divine presence and holiness, unusual display of fire |
| Lev 10:2 | Fire came out from the Lord and consumed them. | Sacred fire for divine wrath in worship context |
Psalm 97 verses
Psalm 97 3 Meaning
Psalm 97:3 declares God's majestic and formidable presence, illustrating His absolute power through the imagery of fire. This fire goes ahead of Him, signifying His immediate presence and devastating power against all who oppose Him. It completely devours His adversaries on all sides, ensuring total destruction and demonstrating His unchallengeable authority and righteousness in judgment.
Psalm 97 3 Context
Psalm 97 is part of the " enthronement psalms" which declare and celebrate Yahweh's reign as king over all the earth. The chapter opens by proclaiming "The Lord reigns!" (Ps 97:1). It then describes God's coming in majesty, surrounded by clouds and thick darkness (Ps 97:2), signaling His mystery, power, and overwhelming presence. The verse 3 immediately follows, vividly depicting His immediate judgment on His foes, setting the stage for the rest of the psalm which highlights His righteousness, the melting of mountains (Ps 97:5), and the shaming of idol worshipers (Ps 97:7) as God's glory is revealed. Historically and culturally, this declaration directly challenged the surrounding polytheistic nations and their impotent gods by contrasting them with the sovereign, active, and powerful God of Israel.
Psalm 97 3 Word analysis
- Fire (אֵשׁ, 'esh):
- Meaning: Literally "fire."
- Significance: In the Bible, fire is a multi-faceted symbol. It represents God's holy presence (Exod 3:2, Deut 4:24), His purifying power (Isa 6:6), and most notably here, His righteous judgment and destructive wrath against sin and rebellion (Num 11:1, Psa 50:3). It is not merely a natural element but a divine agent.
- goes before him (לְפָנָיו, ləp̄ānāyw):
- Meaning: Literally "before His face" or "in front of Him."
- Significance: This emphasizes that the fire is not merely an accompaniment but an active vanguard. It precedes God, preparing His way, clearing obstacles, and commencing His judgment directly at His command. It highlights God's initiative and immediacy in dealing with His adversaries.
- and consumes (וּתְלַהֵט, ūṯəlahēṭ):
- Meaning: A strong verb, "to burn fiercely," "to blaze," "to devour with flames," implying complete destruction or eradication.
- Significance: The Hebrew word connotes intense, blazing destruction. It signifies the absolute and decisive nature of God's judgment; His enemies are not merely damaged or driven back, but utterly annihilated, leaving nothing remaining. It assures the reader of the efficacy and thoroughness of divine justice.
- his foes (צָרָיו, tsārāyw):
- Meaning: "His adversaries," "His enemies," "those who press or distress Him."
- Significance: Refers to anyone who stands in opposition to God, His rule, His people, or His righteousness. This can include nations, individuals, or spiritual forces that rebel against divine authority. The personal pronoun "His" underscores that the opposition is directly against the sovereign Lord.
- on every side (סָבִיב, sāḇîḇ):
- Meaning: "Around," "surrounding," "on all sides," "in a circle."
- Significance: This detail signifies the inescapable nature of God's judgment. There is no angle of escape; the fire engulfs them from all directions, leaving no refuge. It emphasizes the totality, comprehensive reach, and thoroughness of God's destructive power against His enemies.
Psalm 97 3 Bonus section
The imagery of fire consuming foes directly challenges pagan beliefs where gods were often perceived as localized or limited in power. The God of Israel, however, brings an overwhelming, pervasive fire that obliterates adversaries from "every side," indicating His universal sovereignty and unchallenged omnipotence. This depiction of a fiery divine manifestation points towards eschatological judgments in the Bible, such as the day of the Lord, where ungodly will face consuming fire (Mal 4:1, 2 Thess 1:7-8). It serves as a reminder that God’s holiness demands a response, either worship and submission or ultimately, judgment.
Psalm 97 3 Commentary
Psalm 97:3 powerfully portrays the inherent holiness and righteous wrath of God. The "fire" preceding Him serves as an unchallengeable symbol of divine justice and an active extension of His majestic presence. This is not a passive flame but a dynamic force that acts decisively against all forms of opposition to His sovereign rule. The complete consumption "on every side" assures His unshakeable authority, affirming that no foe can withstand or evade His judgment. This declaration offers both comfort to His people (knowing their God protects them from adversaries) and a severe warning to those who defy His reign, underscoring the serious consequence of rebellion against the King of all the earth. This is exemplified when God consumes the wicked, or when the righteous are delivered from oppressors.