Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.
Read it in contextPsalm 110
Start reading at Psalms 110:1 (Psalms 110:1 to Psalms 110:7).
Psalm 110 is a complete prophetic psalm concerning the Messiah, beginning at the first verse of the chapter.
110:1The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
110:2The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.
110:3Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.
110:4The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
110:5The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath.
110:6He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries.
110:7He shall drink of the brook in the way: therefore shall he lift up the head.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? Multiple writers contributed to Psalms, including David, Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, and Moses; some psalms have no named attribution. The traditional Hebrew headings distinguish many of these contributions. Biblical references: Acts 2:25; Acts 4:25. book background
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Psalms 110:1–110:7): The psalm reports the LORD's oracle to the king called my Lord, followed by words concerning his rule and priestly appointment. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? Israel's worshipping community, including individuals and assemblies using the psalms for prayer, praise, lament, and instruction. A particular psalm may speak directly to God, to the congregation, or to another group. Biblical references: Psalms 22:22; Psalms 78:1; Psalms 100:1. book background
What
What is the main event or theme? The main theme of Psalm 110:3 is the willing participation of the Messiah's people in the day of His power, characterized by holiness and youthful vigor. The broader psalm speaks of the Messiah's divine appointment, eternal priesthood, and ultimate victory over His enemies.
What is God revealing? God is revealing the nature of the Messiah's kingdom, where His people will willingly serve Him in holiness, and His power will be evident. He also reveals the Messiah's eternal priesthood and His ultimate judgment over His adversaries.
What is the literary style? The literary style is Hebrew poetry, intended for worship.
When
When was it written? This psalm was written by David, likely around 1000 B.C., within the broader collection period of Psalms from c. 1400 to 450 B.C.
When does the event take place? The "day of thy power" refers to a future, prophetic time when the Messiah's rule is established and His people willingly gather to Him.
Where
Where did it happen? The psalm mentions that the "rod of thy strength" shall be sent out of "Zion."
Where was the author located? The author, David, was located in Israel.
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in Psalm 110 (Psalms 110:1 to Psalms 110:7).
Start reading at Psalms 110:1. Psalm 110 is a complete prophetic psalm concerning the Messiah, beginning at the first verse of the chapter.
How
How does it fit the broader context? Psalm 110 is a highly prophetic psalm concerning the Messiah. Verse 3 describes the character and readiness of the Messiah's people who will serve Him in His kingdom, following the declaration of His rule and eternal priesthood in verses 1, 2, and 4. It sets the stage for His ultimate judgment and triumph described in verses 5-7. stated in the text
How does it point to Christ? The "Lord" addressed in this psalm is understood to be the Messiah, whom the New Testament identifies as Jesus Christ. Verse 3 describes the willing people who will serve Him in the "day of thy power," highlighting the spiritual nature and growth of His kingdom, where many will come to Him in holiness. interpretation
How do I apply it today? Believers today are called to be willing participants in God's work, living in holiness and serving with zeal, just as the people described in this prophecy. This willingness and holiness are empowered by God working in them. interpretation
Cited: Psalms 110:1, Psalms 110:2, Psalms 110:3, Psalms 110:4, Psalms 110:5, Psalms 110:6, Psalms 110:7, Acts 2:33, Acts 4:4, Acts 21:20, Phil 2:13, Heb 13:21, 1 Thess 4:7, Titus 2:14
Who wrote it, and how we know
David and others, including Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, and MosesNamed in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe superscriptions name their writers: David most often, and also Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, and Moses. The New Testament quotes psalms as David's words. Psalm 3:1Psalm 90:1Acts 2:25Acts 4:25
Early traditionJewish and Christian tradition preserves the superscriptions as ancient.
What is debatedSome scholars regard certain superscriptions as later additions. The collection was assembled over centuries.
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Psalms 110
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Psalms is a collection of prayers and songs with multiple attributed writers and many unspecified occasions. Read each psalm as a poetic unit and distinguish a speaker's lament, petition, vow, and praise. The five-book arrangement does not make all psalms one continuous speech. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement. A quoted heading uses the opening KJV words of that stanza; the speaker and the psalm as a whole still govern its meaning.
FocusThanksgiving, pilgrimage, and concluding praise
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The final collection gathers varied songs, the songs of degrees, and concluding calls to praise. Each psalm should first be read in its own poetic movement.
FocusThanksgiving, pilgrimage, and concluding praise
Connection to the wholeThe final collection gathers varied songs, the songs of degrees, and concluding calls to praise. Each psalm should first be read in its own poetic movement.
FocusThanksgiving, pilgrimage, and concluding praise
Connection to the wholeThe final collection gathers varied songs, the songs of degrees, and concluding calls to praise. Each psalm should first be read in its own poetic movement.
interpretation
“The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through…”
FocusThanksgiving, pilgrimage, and concluding praise
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The final collection gathers varied songs, the songs of degrees, and concluding calls to praise. Each psalm should first be read in its own poetic movement.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Psalms
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Psalms is a collection of prayers and songs with multiple attributed writers and many unspecified occasions. Read each psalm as a poetic unit and distinguish a speaker's lament, petition, vow, and praise. The five-book arrangement does not make all psalms one continuous speech.
Connection to the wholeThe opening collection brings individual and communal prayer into the setting introduced by Psalms 1 and 2, ending with a doxology.
Connection to the wholeThe second collection continues varied prayers and songs and closes with royal prayer and a doxology; its individual psalms retain distinct voices and occasions.
FocusThe sanctuary, the nation, and covenant questions
Connection to the wholeThis collection gives prominent space to communal distress and worship, ending with the tension between the Davidic promise and the king's humiliation.
Connection to the wholeThese psalms include reflection on human frailty, the LORD's kingship, worship, and Israel's history, and close with a doxology.
FocusThanksgiving, pilgrimage, and concluding praise
Connection to the wholeThe final collection gathers varied songs, the songs of degrees, and concluding calls to praise. Each psalm should first be read in its own poetic movement.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.