“Your people will volunteer on your day of battle.

In holy splendor, from the womb of the dawn,

the dew of your youth belongs to you.”

— Psalm 110:3 (CSB)

Psalm 110 is a royal psalm that the New Testament unmistakably reads as messianic. Jesus himself applies verse 1 to his exaltation (Matt 22:44), and the apostolic authors follow suit (e.g., Acts 2:34–35; Heb 1:13). But the third verse opens a rich theological window into the nature of his reign and the response of his people. It declares not only that the Messiah will be exalted but also that his people will offer themselves freely. They are willing participants in the day of his sovereign advance.

The Hebrew phrase translated as “will volunteer” (CSB) is יִתְנַדְּבוּ (yitnaddevu), a form of the root נדב (n-d-b). This verb appears in the hitpael stem, which often implies reflexive or voluntary action. The people are not compelled by external force. Rather, they give themselves—willingly, joyfully, freely. The noun form נְדָבָה (nedavah) is used in the Torah to describe freewill offerings (e.g., Exod 35:29), and the idea here seems to be that the Messiah’s people become living sacrifices (cf. Rom 12:1). They are, in themselves, a freewill offering. They are consecrated and gladly offered up to the King.

This text anticipates the formation of Christ’s church, a people made willing by grace. Augustine reflects on this verse when describing the inner transformation wrought by the Spirit: “By his Spirit he makes them willing who were unwilling” (Enarrationes in Psalmos 110). John Calvin notes, “It is the voluntary sacrifice of the heart, not forced service, that marks true devotion to Christ.”

The verse also includes the striking image: “in holy splendor, from the womb of the dawn, the dew of your youth belongs to you.” The metaphor is poetic but the sense is clear. On the day of Christ’s power, he is surrounded by a multitude of consecrated ones, as fresh and abundant as the morning dew. The phrase “holy splendor” likely modifies the people who come to him in priestly array (cf. 1 Pet 2:9), clothed in holiness as those who belong to the King.

In context, Psalm 110 is a coronation song. The Messiah is seated at the right hand of the LORD (v. 1), given the scepter of divine rule (v. 2), and now he goes forth with an army of willing followers (v. 3). His priestly kingship is confirmed in verse 4, and the rest of the psalm describes his triumph over the nations. But central to this reign is a people who do not merely submit. Instead, they love their King and offer themselves to him in consecrated joy.

Is this how we follow Christ? Not with reluctant duty, but with joyful surrender? Have I been made willing in the day of his power? The gospel does not produce conscripts. It creates volunteers.

So today, offer yourself again—not as one forced, but as one transformed. Let your life be a freewill offering to the Messiah who reigns. Serve him with gladness. Worship him in holy splendor. Join the multitude of his youth that rise each morning with freshness and joy to say, “Here I am. Send me.”