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.

PSALMS 110:3KJV
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Psalms 110:3 (KJV)

What does Psalms 110:3 mean?

Psalms 110:3 describes a time when the people belonging to the king will freely and eagerly offer themselves to serve him when he displays his power, appearing in holy splendor and with youthful energy as fresh as the morning dew. The verse uses poetic language to picture the king’s followers as numerous, willing, and pure, rising up at the moment of his victory.

This psalm is attributed to David, speaking about a royal figure—often understood as the Lord’s chosen king—who is given authority by God. The verse highlights the king’s supporters, who are not forced but gladly join him, and uses images of holiness, dawn, and dew to show their beauty, freshness, and abundance. The setting is one of triumph and divine favor, with the king’s youth and vigor emphasized.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 110:3

  • "people" (עַם, ʿam): This word refers to a group united by loyalty, here meaning the king’s own people, emphasizing their close relationship to him.
  • "willing" (נְדָבָה, nədāvāh): This word means voluntary or freely given, stressing that the people’s service is not out of obligation but wholehearted willingness.
  • "beauties" (הַדְרֵי, hadrē): This word points to splendor or majesty, here describing the appearance or character of holiness, suggesting something beautiful and set apart.
  • "dew" (טַּל, ṭal): Dew is a symbol of freshness, renewal, and abundance, so describing the king’s youth as “the dew” suggests vigor and a continual source of strength.

Why Psalms 110:3 matters

  • The verse clears up any idea that the king’s followers are forced or reluctant; instead, they are eager and joyful in their service.
  • The poetic images connect the king’s reign with purity, newness, and divine blessing, showing that his strength and support are gifts from God.
  • This verse sets the tone for the rest of the psalm, which describes a king whose authority and support are both extraordinary and divinely given, shaping how readers understand the whole passage.

Where else these words appear

“youth” Hebrew H3208 · used in 3 verses

  • Ecclesiastes 11:9 Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.
  • Ecclesiastes 11:10 Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity.

“willing” Hebrew H5071 · used in 25 verses

  • Exodus 35:29 The children of Israel brought a willing offering unto the LORD, every man and woman, whose heart made them willing to bring for all manner of work, which the LORD had commanded to be made by the hand of Moses.
  • Numbers 29:39 These things ye shall do unto the LORD in your set feasts, beside your vows, and your freewill offerings, for your burnt offerings, and for your meat offerings, and for your drink offerings, and for your peace offerings.
  • Ezra 3:5 And afterward offered the continual burnt offering, both of the new moons, and of all the set feasts of the LORD that were consecrated, and of every one that willingly offered a freewill offering unto the LORD.

“womb” Hebrew H7358 · used in 25 verses

  • Genesis 20:18 For the LORD had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah Abraham's wife.
  • Numbers 8:16 For they are wholly given unto me from among the children of Israel; instead of such as open every womb, even instead of the firstborn of all the children of Israel, have I taken them unto me.
  • Job 31:15 Did not he that made me in the womb make him? and did not one fashion us in the womb?

“beauties” Hebrew H1926 · used in 29 verses

  • Leviticus 23:40 And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days.
  • Psalms 90:16 Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children.
  • Isaiah 2:10 Enter into the rock, and hide thee in the dust, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty.