A fire goes before him, and burns up his adversaries on every side.
His lightning lights up the world. The earth sees, and trembles.
The mountains melt like wax at the presence of Yahweh, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
Parallel Translations
-
A fire goes before him, and burns up his adversaries on every side.
His lightning lights up the world. The earth sees, and trembles.
The mountains melt like wax at the presence of Yahweh, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
-
A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about.
His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled.
The hills melted like wax at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
Show all 3 translations
-
A fire goeth before Him, and burneth up His adversaries round about.
His lightnings lighted up the world; the earth saw, and trembled.
The mountains melted like wax at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
Examined in Scripture Analysis
Contradictions (1)
Questions where the Bible appears to say two different things, with the passages on each side set together.
Cross-references (41)
- Nahum 1:5 (v5) The mountains quake before him, and the hills melt away. The earth trembles at his presence, yes, the world, and all who dwell in it.
- Micah 1:3-4 (v5) For, behold, Yahweh comes out of his place, and will come down and tread on the high places of the earth. The mountains melt under him, and…
- Psalms 50:3 (v3) Our God comes, and does not keep silent. A fire devours before him. It is very stormy around him.
- Isaiah 24:19-20 (v5) The earth is utterly broken. The earth is torn apart. The earth is shaken violently. The earth will stagger like a drunken man, and will…
- Isaiah 64:1-2 (v5) Oh that you would tear the heavens, that you would come down, that the mountains might quake at your presence. As when fire kindles the…
Show all 41 cross-references
- Psalms 18:8 (v3) Smoke went out of his nostrils. Consuming fire came out of his mouth. Coals were kindled by it.
- Habakkuk 3:6 (v5) He stood, and shook the earth. He looked, and made the nations tremble. The ancient mountains were crumbled. The age-old hills collapsed.…
- Hebrews 12:29 (v3) for our God is a consuming fire.
- Psalms 47:2 (v5) For Yahweh Most High is awesome. He is a great King over all the earth.
- Psalms 77:18 (v4) The voice of your thunder was in the whirlwind. The lightnings lit up the world. The earth trembled and shook.
- Malachi 4:1 (v3) “For, behold, the day comes, it burns as a furnace; and all the proud, and all who work wickedness, will be stubble; and the day that comes…
- 2 Thessalonians 1:8 (v3) punishing those who don’t know God, and to those who don’t obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus,
- Psalms 46:6 (v5) The nations raged. The kingdoms were moved. He lifted his voice and the earth melted.
- Daniel 7:10 (v3) A fiery stream issued and came out from before him. Thousands of thousands ministered to him. Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before…
- Revelation 11:19 (v4) God’s temple that is in heaven was opened, and the ark of the Lord’s covenant was seen in his temple. Lightnings, sounds, thunders, an…
- Exodus 19:16-18 (v4) On the third day, when it was morning, there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mountain, and the sound of an…
- Psalms 21:8-9 (v3) Your hand will find out all of your enemies. Your right hand will find out those who hate you. You will make them as a fiery furnace in the…
- Deuteronomy 32:22 (v3) For a fire is kindled in my anger, that burns to the lowest Sheol, devours the earth with its increase, and sets the foundations of the…
- Job 9:6 (v4) He shakes the earth out of its place. Its pillars tremble.
- Psalms 104:32 (v4) He looks at the earth, and it trembles. He touches the mountains, and they smoke.
- Jeremiah 10:10 (v4) But Yahweh is the true God. He is the living God, and an everlasting King. At his wrath, the earth trembles. The nations aren’t able to…
- Nahum 1:5-6 (v3) The mountains quake before him, and the hills melt away. The earth trembles at his presence, yes, the world, and all who dwell in it. Who…
- Joshua 3:11 (v5) Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth passes over before you into the Jordan.
- Judges 5:4-5 (v5) “Yahweh, when you went out of Seir, when you marched out of the field of Edom, the earth trembled, the sky also dropped. Yes, the clouds…
- Psalms 83:18 (v5) that they may know that you alone, whose name is Yahweh, are the Most High over all the earth.
- Psalms 96:9 (v4) Worship Yahweh in holy array. Tremble before him, all the earth.
- Psalms 114:7 (v4) Tremble, you earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob,
- Psalms 144:5-6 (v4) Part your heavens, Yahweh, and come down. Touch the mountains, and they will smoke. Throw out lightning, and scatter them. Send out your…
- Matthew 27:50-51 (v4) Jesus cried again with a loud voice, and yielded up his spirit. Behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom.…
- 2 Peter 3:10-12 (v3) But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will be…
- Revelation 19:11 (v4) I saw the heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it is called Faithful and True. In righteousness he judges and makes…
- Deuteronomy 4:11 (v3) You came near and stood under the mountain. The mountain burned with fire to the heart of the sky, with darkness, cloud, and thick darkness.
- Deuteronomy 5:4 (v3) Yahweh spoke with you face to face on the mountain out of the middle of the fire,
- Deuteronomy 5:23-24 (v3) When you heard the voice out of the middle of the darkness, while the mountain was burning with fire, you came near to me, even all the…
- Micah 4:13 (v5) Arise and thresh, daughter of Zion; for I will make your horn iron, and I will make your hoofs bronze; and you will beat in pieces many…
- 1 Corinthians 1:2 (v5) to the assembly of God which is at Corinth—those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called saints, with all who call on the name of our…
- Isaiah 54:5 (v5) For your Maker is your husband; Yahweh of Armies is his name. The Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer. He will be called the God of the…
- Habakkuk 3:5 (v3) Plague went before him, and pestilence followed his feet.
- Zechariah 4:14 (v5) Then he said, “These are the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth.”
- Matthew 28:2-3 (v4) Behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from the sky, and came and rolled away the stone from the door,…
- Revelation 11:5 (v3) If anyone desires to harm them, fire proceeds out of their mouth and devours their enemies. If anyone desires to harm them, he must be…
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (14 sources)
Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.
Private notes
Saved on this device only — never synced or sent anywhere.
Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On v4 This fear bringeth not the wicked to true obedience,…
This fear bringeth not the wicked to true obedience, but maketh them to run away from God.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv3–5 Psa 97:3 A fire goeth before him, and burneth…
Psa 97:3 A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about.
Ver. 3. A fire goeth before him] For even our God is a consuming fire, Heb 12:29 (and not the God of the Jews only), as shall well appear at the last day, 2Th 1:8. {See Trapp on "Psa 97:2"}
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv3–5 This fire, and lightning, and earthquake, and the sad…
This fire, and lightning, and earthquake, and the sad effects of them, mentioned here, and Psa 97:4,5, signify those dreadful judgments of God which should be inflicted upon the Jews and others for their refusal and contempt of the Messias; which was foretold in the Old Testament, and accomplished in the New Testament.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv3–5 A fire goeth before him, Not the fiery law,…
A fire goeth before him, Not the fiery law, which went forth from his right hand on Mount Sinai; but rather his Gospel, which, as it enlightens, warms, comforts, and refreshes his people, searches, torments, and destroys his enemies, and is the savour of death unto death to them; see Jer 23:29. Some apply this to the gifts of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost, signified by cloven tongues of fire; but then no such effect followed as mentioned in the next clause: it seems best to interpret it of his wrath, which, like fire, was poured out to the uttermost on the Jews, for their disbelief and rejection of him; they would not have him to reign over them; they despised his Gospel, and slew his servants; wherefore he sent the Roman armies to them, who destroyed those murderers, and burnt their city, Mat 22:7, this will be also verified in the second coming of Christ, who will descend in flaming fire, and the earth will be burnt up, and all that is therein, Th2 1:7, some Jewish writers interpret this of the war of Gog and Magog, in Ezekiel, which they suppose still future; as, when it is, fire will be sent and rained upon them, Eze 38:22, but may be better applied to the Gog and Magog in Rev 20:8.
and burneth up his enemies round about; so that none can escape: this was true of the Jewish nation, who were burnt up; so that there was not left root nor branch in it, Mal 4:1, and will be true of the wicked, at the general conflagration of the world, upon Christ's second coming; and of the Gog and Magog army, after the resurrection.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv3–5 Verse 3. A fire goeth before him] Literally, this…
Verse 3. A fire goeth before him] Literally, this and the following verse may refer to the electric fluid, or to manifestations of the Divine displeasure, in which, by means of ethereal fire, God consumed his enemies. But fire is generally represented as an accompaniment of the appearances of the Supreme Being. He appeared on Mount Sinai in the midst of fire, thunder, and lightnings, Ex 19:16-18. Daniel, Da 7:9; Da 7:10, represents the Sovereign Judge as being on a throne which was a fiery flame, and the wheels of his chariot like burning fire; and a fiery stream issuing from it, and coming forth from before him. St. Paul tells us (2Th 1:8) that the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire; and St. Peter, (2Pe 3:7; 2Pe 3:10; 2Pe 3:11,) that when the Lord shall come to judgment the heavens and the earth shall be destroyed by fire, the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, the elements melt with fervent heat, and the earth and its works be burnt up. Here then, will appear, -
"Our God in grandeur, and our world on fire."
Read full note →
Burneth up his enemies round about.] The fire is his pioneer which destroys all the hinderances in his way, and makes him a plain passage.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On v3 Psa 97:3-5. A fire goeth before him, &c. —…
Psa 97:3-5. A fire goeth before him, &c. — “The judgments of God, and their effects upon the world, are here set forth, under the usual similitude of lightning and fire from heaven, causing the earth to tremble, and the mountains to melt and dissolve away.” And by these terrible appearances in the natural world are especially signified those dreadful judgments of God, which were to be inflicted upon the Jews and others for their contempt and rejection of the Messiah, which was foretold in the Old Testament, and accomplished in the New. His lightnings enlightened the world — This phrase signifies, not so much illumination as terror and judgments, as appears, both from the following words, and from the constant use of the phrase in that sense. The hills melted — The strongest and loftiest parts of the earth, by which he may intend the great potentates of the world, who set themselves against the Messiah; at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth — Whose dominion shall not then be confined in Canaan, as now, in a manner, it is, but shall be enlarged over the whole earth. “The exaltation of Christ to the throne of his kingdom was followed by a dreadful display of that vengeance which broke in pieces the Jewish nation, and brought their civil and religious polity to an utter dissolution. In the history of their destruction the world of the ungodly may view a striking picture of the great and terrible day when the Lord Jesus shall render a recompense to all his enemies. He is then to descend in flaming fire; lightnings shall be his harbingers; the earth shall tremble, and the hills shall literally melt like wax at the presence of Jehovah.” — Horne.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv3–5 A fire goeth before him - See Psa 18:13,…
A fire goeth before him - See Psa 18:13, note; Psa 50:3, note.
And burneth up his enemies round about - Is especially directed against his foes. That is, he manifests himself as a just God, inflicting vengeance on his enemies. He comes to reign, and in his reign all his foes will be destroyed.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv3–5 3. A fire goeth before him—To herald his coming.…
3. A fire goeth before him—To herald his coming. If the word of God is one of mercy to those who love and obey him, it is also one of judgment and terror to those who despise him. The figures are still borrowed from the scenes of Sinai. (See Deu_4:11; compare Isa_66:15-16; Heb_12:29; Rev_4:5.) God is represented in Psa_97:2-6 as the universal ruler, passing through the nations of the earth, visiting judicial judgments on his enemies, and dispensing pardon and peace to his willing and submissive subjects. These rejoice, (Psa_97:1,) those tremble, (Psa_97:4.)
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv4–5 4. His lightnings lightened the world, as of old…
4. His lightnings lightened the world, as of old when He brought Israel out of Egypt. From Psa_77:18 b.
the earth &c.] Based upon Psa_77:16; Psa_77:18 : cp. Psa_96:9 b.
Read full note →
4–6. The recent manifestation of Jehovah’s power, described in terms of the great Theophanies of old.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv3–5 (3) This is an echo of Psa_1:3. (Comp. also…
(3) This is an echo of Psa_1:3. (Comp. also Psa_18:8; Hab_3:4-5.)
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv3–5 A fire goeth before him. So long as there…
A fire goeth before him. 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 Isa_42:25) It is in this sense that "our God is a consuming fire". (Heb_12:29) And burneth up his enemies round about. (comp. Psa_50:8 Mat_13:30)
Vers. 3-5. The sign of the storm god. (comp. Ex 19 Ex 20 Hab 3 Heb_12:18-21; see also Psa_77:17, Psa_77:18)
Read full note →
There is here an evident reference to an Eastern thunderstorm. Lightning and thunder, among all superstitious peoples, are regarded as special manifestations of the Deity. To us storms are but nature forces, having their intensity, and their comings and goings, according to ordinary nature laws. But poetry can now do, better than superstition, what superstition has done in all ages and in all lands. We inquire what the "storm sign" tells concerning God. The one common feeling in tempest is the sense of the presence of an august and awful force that is uncontrollable by man, but controllable by God. In addition to this it may be said that the storm-witness for God is universal; it is rendered in every land and in every age. Point out that in Jewish history storms are directly associated with the destruction of God"s foes, and the deliverance of God"s people, as in the case of Sisera. See also the revelation of God to Elijah, at Horeb, in the wild storm and the still small voice. The storm voice says concerning God
I HE HAS AUGUST FORCES AT COMMAND. Nature forces are sublime in themselves, but they represent moral and spiritual forces far more sublime.
II HIS FORCES ARE ALTOGETHER OUT OF MAN"S LIMITATION. Tempest makes us feel this. All the combined powers of all humanity could not stop a flash of lightning or silence a peal of thunder. What makes the storm so trying to us is the sense it brings of our utter helplessness. But that lesson man needs to learn in a thousand ways, and over and over again.
III HIS FORCES MAY BE USED IN MISSIONS OF JUDGMENT. The lightning strikes some. The storm may damage much. And though we may not say in a particular case the lightning stroke is a particular judgment on the individual, we do properly get the impression of God"s power to carry out the Divine threatening.
IV HIS FORCES, HOWEVER USED, HELP US FULLY TO REALIZE HIMSELF. There is constant danger of men"s being satisfied with one-sided views of God. Christianity exalts his love; therefore it is needful to qualify our view of God by the nature-teachings and the older revelations. R.T.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Charles H. Spurgeon 1885 · Public Domain On vv3–5 Ver. 3. A fire goeth before him. Like an…
Ver. 3. A fire goeth before him. Like an advance guard clearing the way. So was it at Sinai, so must it be: the very Being of God is power, consuming all opposition; omnipotence is a devouring flame which
burneth up his enemies round about. God is longsuffering, but when he comes forth to judgment he will make short work with the unrighteous, they will be as chaff before the flame. Reading this verse in reference to the coming of Jesus, and the descent of the Spirit, we are reminded of the tongues of fire, and of the power which attended the gospel, so that all opposition was speedily overcome. Even now where the gospel is preached in faith, and in the power of the Spirit, it burns its own way, irresistibly destroying falsehood, superstition, unbelief, sin, indifference, and hardness of heart. In it the Lord reigneth, and because of it let the earth rejoice.
Read full note →
Ver. 3. A fire goeth before him. Like a marshall or advance guard before a royal presence, or as the javelin men who precede a judge. Fire is the sign both of grace and wrath (Ex 3:2 Ps 18:9.) Majesty marches forth in both displays of Deity. C.H.S. from Poli Synopsis.
Ver. 3. A fire goeth before him. That fire which Christ came to send upon the earth, the kindling blaze of the Holy Ghost, which came down in tongues of fire at Pentecost, to burn freely throughout the world, for the destruction of obstinate unbelievers, and the purifying of those who gladly received the Word. And of this the prophet spake, saying, "I will send a fire on Magog, and among them that dwell carelessly its the isles: and they shall know that I am the LORD." (Eze 39:6.) This divine flame goes still before the face of the Lord in his coming to every faithful soul, as it kindles with longing for him, and burns up all its sins therewith, as he heaps his coals of fire upon its head, to soften and purify it. "It must needs be", teaches a great saint, (S. Bernard.) "that the fervour of holy desire must go before his face to every soul to which he means to come, a flame which will burn up all the mildew of sin, and make ready a place for the Lord. And then the soul knows that the Lord is at hand, when it feels itself kindled with that fire, and it saith with the prophet, `My heart was hot within me; then spake I with my tongue.'"(Ps 39:3). Augustine, and others, quoted by Neale and Littledale.
Ver. 3. A fire goeth before him. There is no less, but rather more wrath attending the despisers of the Gospel, than did attend the giving out of the law. Heb 12:29. David Dickson.
Ver. 3-6. The accompaniments of Christ's gospel advent.
1. The fire of his Spirit.
2. The light of the word.
3. The commotion in the world.
4. The removal of obstacles.
5. The display of the divine glory.
Psalms 97:4*
Charles H. Spurgeon's The Treasury of David (1869–1885) — public domain. Psalms only. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v3 Fire goes before him
Fire goes before him
The psalmist speaks as if fire were a person walking before King Yahweh and telling people that the king was coming. (See: Personification)
Read full note →
consumes his adversaries
"burns up his enemies"
the earth sees and trembles
The writer speaks of the earth as if it were a person who sees what Yahweh does and trembles in fear. AT: "like a person, the earth sees and trembles" (See: Personification)
trembles
shakes with fear
The mountains melt like wax before Yahweh
The writer speaks of the mountains crumbling before Yahweh as if they were wax that was exposed to a fire. AT: "The mountains are unable to stand as Yahweh comes near" or "The mountains crumble in Yahweh's presence" (See: Simile)
translationWords
fire
consume
adversary
world
Yahweh
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v5 97:5-7 The created order stirs at the coming of…
97:5-7 The created order stirs at the coming of its King. He alone deserves worship.
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.