Psalms 97:3

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Fire goes before him, setting ablaze his foes on every side.

Berean Standard Bible:

Fire goes before Him and consumes His foes on every side.

American Standard Version:

A fire goeth before him, And burneth up his adversaries round about.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

A fire^{H784} goeth^{H3212} before^{H6440} him, and burneth up^{H3857} his enemies^{H6862} round about^{H5439}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Psalms 97:3

Psalm 97:3 is part of a larger hymn of praise that celebrates the majesty and sovereignty of God. The verse itself, "A fire goes before him and burns up his enemies round about," vividly depicts God's power and judgment. This imagery of fire is common in the Bible, often symbolizing divine presence, purification, and wrath against evil. In the historical context of the Psalms, such language would resonate with the Israelites' understanding of God as a warrior who fights on behalf of His people, delivering them from their adversaries.

The theme of this verse is the awesomeness of God, who is depicted as a consuming fire that overwhelms and defeats any opposition. It reflects the belief that God's justice is absolute and that the wicked will not escape divine retribution. The fire that precedes God is not only a sign of impending judgment but also a protective barrier that ensures the safety of the righteous. This verse would have served to reassure the faithful of God's power to save and to establish justice, while also serving as a warning to those who might oppose God's will.

In the broader context of the Psalm, the verse contributes to the portrayal of God as the King over all the earth, whose glory is above all other gods and whose reign is universal and everlasting. The imagery of fire and the destruction of enemies underscores the unassailable nature of God's rule, encouraging the psalmist's contemporaries, and subsequent readers, to rejoice in God's sovereignty and to live in awe of His might.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H784
   There are 549 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֵשׁ
   Transliteration: ʼêsh
   Pronunciation: aysh
   Description: a primitive word; fire (literally or figuratively); burning, fiery, fire, flaming, hot.
   
2. Strong's Number: H3212
   There are 938 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָלַךְ
   Transliteration: yâlak
   Pronunciation: yaw-lak'
   Description: a primitive root (compare הָלַךְ); to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses); [idiom] again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, [phrase] follow(-ing), get (away, hence, him), (cause to, made) go (away, -ing, -ne, one's way, out), grow, lead (forth), let down, march, prosper, [phrase] pursue, cause to run, spread, take away (-journey), vanish, (cause to) walk(-ing), wax, [idiom] be weak.
   
3. Strong's Number: H6440
   There are 1890 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פָּנִים
   Transliteration: pânîym
   Pronunciation: paw-neem'
   Description: plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun פָּנֶה; from פָּנָה); the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.); [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you.
   
4. Strong's Number: H3857
   There are 11 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: לָהַט
   Transliteration: lâhaṭ
   Pronunciation: law-hat'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to lick, i.e. (by implication) to blaze; burn (up), set on fire, flaming, kindle.
   
5. Strong's Number: H6862
   There are 102 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: צַר
   Transliteration: tsar
   Pronunciation: tsar
   Description: or צָר; from צָרַר; compare as in צֹר; narrow; (as a noun) a tight place (usually figuratively, i.e. trouble); also a pebble ; (transitive) an opponent (as crowding); adversary, afflicted(-tion), anguish, close, distress, enemy, flint, foe, narrow, small, sorrow, strait, tribulation, trouble.
   
6. Strong's Number: H5439
   There are 282 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: סָבִיב
   Transliteration: çâbîyb
   Pronunciation: saw-beeb'
   Description: or (feminine) סְבִיבָה; from סָבַב; (as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around; (place, round) about, circuit, compass, on every side.