Your people shall be willing on Your day of battle.This phrase suggests a voluntary and enthusiastic response from the followers of the Messiah. The "day of battle" can be interpreted as a time of divine intervention or judgment, often associated with the eschatological "Day of the Lord." The willingness of the people indicates a readiness to serve and support the Messiah, reflecting a transformation of hearts and minds. This can be connected to the New Testament concept of believers being willing participants in the spiritual battles described in
Ephesians 6:10-18. Historically, this willingness can be seen in the dedication of the Israelites during times of national crisis, such as in the days of King David, who is traditionally attributed as the author of this psalm.
Arrayed in holy splendor,
The imagery of being "arrayed in holy splendor" suggests a priestly or kingly attire, symbolizing purity, righteousness, and divine favor. This attire is reminiscent of the garments worn by the priests in the Old Testament, as described inExodus 28. It signifies the sanctification and consecration of the Messiah's followers, who are set apart for a holy purpose. This can also be seen as a type of the glorified state of believers, as mentioned inRevelation 19:8, where the saints are clothed in fine linen, representing righteous acts.
from the womb of the dawn,
The phrase "from the womb of the dawn" evokes the image of a new beginning or a fresh start, much like the birth of a new day. It suggests the emergence of something pure and untainted, symbolizing the renewal and rejuvenation that comes with the Messiah's reign. This can be linked to the resurrection of Christ, who is described as the "firstborn from the dead" inColossians 1:18, bringing new life to His followers. The dawn also represents hope and the fulfillment of God's promises, as seen inLamentations 3:22-23, where God's mercies are new every morning.
to You belongs the dew of Your youth.
The "dew of Your youth" symbolizes vitality, strength, and freshness. Dew is often associated with blessing and abundance in the Bible, as seen inGenesis 27:28. This phrase can be interpreted as the perpetual vigor and eternal nature of the Messiah's reign, emphasizing His divine nature and unending life. It also reflects the rejuvenating power of the Messiah, who renews and sustains His people. This can be connected toIsaiah 40:31, where those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. The imagery of youth and dew together underscores the idea of an everlasting kingdom, full of life and energy.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
The LORD (Yahweh)The divine speaker in
Psalm 110, addressing the Messiah.
2.
The Messiah (Adonai)The anointed king and priest, traditionally understood as a prophecy about Jesus Christ.
3.
The People of GodThose who willingly follow and serve the Messiah in His day of power.
4.
The Day of BattleSymbolic of the time when the Messiah exercises His authority and power.
5.
The Womb of the DawnA poetic expression indicating the freshness and newness of the Messiah's reign.
Teaching Points
Willingness to ServeBelievers are called to willingly serve Christ, reflecting the readiness and devotion of His people in the day of His power.
Holiness in ServiceThe phrase "arrayed in holy splendor" emphasizes the importance of living a life set apart for God, marked by purity and righteousness.
Renewal and Strength"From the womb of the dawn" suggests a continual renewal and strength that comes from God, encouraging believers to seek His presence daily.
Youthful ZealThe "dew of Your youth" symbolizes vigor and enthusiasm in serving the Lord, reminding us to maintain our passion for God's work.
Spiritual WarfareThe imagery of battle calls Christians to be prepared for spiritual warfare, equipped with the armor of God as described in
Ephesians 6.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Psalm 110:3?
2.How does Psalm 110:3 inspire us to serve willingly in God's kingdom?
3.What does "your people shall be willing" reveal about our response to God?
4.How does Psalm 110:3 connect to New Testament teachings on discipleship?
5.In what ways can we reflect the "holy splendor" in our daily lives?
6.How can Psalm 110:3 encourage us to embrace our identity in Christ?
7.What does "Your people shall be willing" in Psalm 110:3 imply about free will?
8.How does Psalm 110:3 relate to the concept of divine kingship?
9.What is the significance of "the day of your power" in Psalm 110:3?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Psalm 110?
11.If Psalm 110:3 implies a miraculous gathering of volunteers, why is there no mention of such an unprecedented event in known historical documents?
12.Psalm 110 portrays a victorious king judging entire nations. Where is the documented historical fulfillment of such a worldwide conquest?
13.Psalm 76:3: How can we verify or reconcile the claim that God miraculously 'broke the arrows' and other battle gear with historical or archaeological evidence?
14.What is the essence of the Angelic Conflict?What Does Psalm 110:3 Mean
Your people shall be willing“Your people shall be willing on Your day of battle.” (Psalm 110:3)
• The verse describes a voluntary, joyful enlistment of the Messiah’s followers. Like the Israelites who “offered themselves willingly to the LORD” inJudges 5:2, believers respond to Christ’s call without coercion.
• This willingness flows from transformed hearts (Ezekiel 36:26–27) and Christ’s compelling love (2 Corinthians 5:14).
• The text assumes a real future moment when the Lord mobilizes His saints, echoingRevelation 19:14, where “the armies of heaven” accompany the conquering King.
On Your day of battle•Psalm 110 is overtly messianic (confirmed by Jesus inMatthew 22:41-46). “Your day of battle” points to the literal, climactic victory of Christ over His enemies (Revelation 19:11-16).
• It also anticipates ongoing spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:10-18). The verse assures that whenever Christ moves against darkness, His people rally to Him.
Arrayed in holy splendor• Willing warriors appear “arrayed in holy splendor,” set apart for God’s purposes.Revelation 19:8 pictures similar clothing: “Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.”
• Holiness is both status and attire—God clothes His own with righteousness (Isaiah 61:10) and calls them to live it out (1 Peter 1:15-16).
• Their splendor reflects the glory of their King (2 Corinthians 3:18).
From the womb of the dawn• “From the womb of the dawn” paints a sunrise scene: newness, freshness, and unstoppable light. Each morning testifies to God’s faithfulness (Lamentations 3:23), and here it symbolizes the perpetual renewal of Christ’s forces.
• Just as daybreak disperses night, the Messiah’s appearing dispels darkness (Malachi 4:2).
To You belongs the dew of Your youth• Dew forms silently, abundantly, and freshly—an apt metaphor for the ever-new vigor God grants His Servant and His people (Isaiah 40:31).
• The phrase underscores the Messiah’s perpetual vitality (Hebrews 13:8). His youth never fades, and those united to Him share in His life (John 10:10).
• Like countless dewdrops, the host of believers is innumerable (Hosea 1:10), ready for service.
summaryPsalm 110:3 pictures the Messiah’s followers gladly volunteering to stand with Him in a literal day of victory. Clothed in holiness, continually refreshed like morning dew, they display His glory and share His unfading vigor. The verse assures that when Christ advances, His people—renewed, radiant, and ready—advance with Him.
(3) This difficult verse runs, literally,
Thy people willingnesses(or
, willing offerings)
in the day of thy force in holy attire, from the womb of morning dew of thy youth.The first clause is tolerably clear. The word renderedforcemeans either "strength" or "an army;" and the nounwillingnessesappears as a verb inJudges 5:9, to express the alacrity with which the northern clans mustered for battle. We may therefore translate:Thy people will be willing on thy muster-day.
As to the next two-words there is a variation in the text. Many MSS. read, by the slightest change of a Hebrew letter, "on the holy mountains" (this was also, according to one version, the reading of Symmachus and Jerome), and, adopting the reading, we have a picture of the people mustering for battle with alacrity on the mountains round Zion, under the eye of Jehovah Himself, and in obedience to the outstretched sceptre.
The second clause is not so clear. By themselves the words "from the womb of morning dew of thy youth," would naturally be taken as a description of the vigour and freshness of the person addressed: "thine is the morning dew of youth." With the image compare--
"The meek-eyed morn appears;mother of the dews."
THOMSON.
(Comp.Job 38:28.)
But the parallelism directs us still to the gathering of the army, and the image of thedewwas familiar to the language as an emblem at once ofmultitude(2Samuel 17:11-12), offreshnessandvigour(Psalm 133:3;Hosea 14:5), and was especially applied to Israel as a nation in immediate relation to Jehovah, coming and going among the nations at His command (Micah 5:7). Here there is the additional idea of brightness--the array of young warriors, in their bright attire, recalling the multitudinous glancing of the ground on a dewy morning:thy young warriors come to thee thick and bright as the morning dew. . . .
Verse 3. -
Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power. In the full sense of the word, Messiah can only
rule over "willing" hearts. In the day of his power, his people will offer themselves gladly to be his soldiers and servants, and flock to his banner, as the Israelites to that of Deborah and Barak, when "the people willingly offered themselves" (
Judges 5:2, 9; comp.
Isaiah 49:18-23;
Isaiah 60:1-5;
Isaiah 66:19-23).
In the beauties of holiness. At once warriors and saints, meet for the service of one who was at once Priest (ver. 4) and King.
From the womb of the morning thou hast the dew of thy youth. This is the division of the clauses now generally adopted; but the intention of this last clause is very doubtful. Some understand it of Messiah himself, and explain, "As the dew of the morning, abundant, refreshing, spreading far and wide, miraculous, so is the might of thy perpetual youth" ('Speaker's Commentary,' vol. 4. p. 428); others, and the larger number, interpret it of Messiah's army, "As dew out el the early morning dawn, descending by a silent, mysterious birth from the star-lit heaven, so comes to Messiah his mighty host of followers" (comp.
Isaiah 26:19).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Your peopleעַמְּךָ֣(‘am·mə·ḵā)Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5971:A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock[shall be] willingנְדָבֹת֮(nə·ḏā·ḇōṯ)Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 5071:Spontaneity, spontaneous, a spontaneous, abundant gifton Your dayבְּי֪וֹם(bə·yō·wm)Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3117:A dayof battle.חֵ֫ילֶ֥ךָ(ḥê·le·ḵā)Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 2428:A force, an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strengthArrayed in holyקֹ֭דֶשׁ(qō·ḏeš)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6944:A sacred place, thing, sanctitysplendor,בְּֽהַדְרֵי־(bə·haḏ·rê-)Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1926:Magnificence, ornament, splendorfrom the wombמֵרֶ֣חֶם(mê·re·ḥem)Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7358:The wombof the dawn,מִשְׁחָ֑ר(miš·ḥār)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4891:Dawnto You belongsלְ֝ךָ֗(lə·ḵā)Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrewthe dewטַ֣ל(ṭal)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2919:Night mist, dewof Your youth.יַלְדֻתֶֽיךָ׃(yal·ḏu·ṯe·ḵā)Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 3208:Childhood, youth
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OT Poetry: Psalm 110:3 Your people offer themselves willingly (Psalm Ps Psa.)