Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 97:3

"A fire goeth before him, And burneth up his adversaries round about." — Psalms 97:3 (ASV)

A fire goes before him - See Psalms 18:13, note; Psalms 50:3, note.

And burns 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.