John Calvin Commentary Psalms 110:3

"Thy people offer themselves willingly In the day of thy power, in holy array: Out of the womb of the morning Thou hast the dew of thy youth." — Psalms 110:3 (ASV)

Your people shall come In this verse, the Psalmist presents the honors of Christ’s kingdom concerning the number of His subjects and their prompt and cheerful obedience to His commands. The Hebrew term he uses frequently denotes voluntary oblations; but in this case, it refers to the chosen people, those who are truly Christ’s flock, declaring that they will be a willing people, spontaneously and cheerfully consecrating themselves to His service.

At the time of the assembling of your army, that is, whenever there is a convening of solemn and lawful assemblies, or the king desires an account of his people; which may be expressed in French as au jour des montres, — in the day of the review. Others translate it, in the day of your power; but the former is preferable. For when Christ wishes to assemble His people, they will immediately yield prompt obedience, without being forcibly constrained to it.

Moreover, to assure us that this kingdom, above all others, was set apart by God for His special service, it is added, the beauties or honors of holiness, thereby indicating that all who become Christ’s subjects will not approach Him as they would an earthly king, but as they would come into the presence of God Himself, their sole aim being to serve God.

Out of the womb of the morning, etc. It would not be edifying to recount all the interpretations given for this clause, for once I have established its true and natural meaning, it would be quite unnecessary to refute others. Indeed, I see no reason to doubt that here David praises the divine favor shown in increasing the number of Christ’s people. Consequently, because of their extraordinary increase, he compares the youth or people who would be born to Him to the dew.

Just as people are astonished to see the earth moistened and refreshed with dew, though its descent is imperceptible, so too, David declares that an innumerable offspring will be born to Christ, who will be spread over the whole earth. Therefore, the youth, who are innumerable like the dewdrops, are here called the dew of childhood or of youth.

The Hebrew term, ילדות, yalduth, is used as a collective noun, that is, a noun that refers not only to a single individual but to a community or society. If anyone wishes to assign a more definite and distinct meaning to the term, they may do so as follows: An offspring, innumerable as the dewdrops of the morning, will issue from His womb.

Experience proves that there was good reason for this prediction. The multitude gathered and subjected to Christ’s rule in such a short time is incredible; especially since this has been accomplished by the sound of the Gospel alone, and that, too, despite the formidable opposition of the whole world.

Besides, it is not surprising that elderly people recently converted to Christ should be called newly born children, because spiritual birth, according to Peter, makes all the godly become like newborn babes (1 Peter 2:2). Similarly, Isaiah says (Isaiah 53:10) that Christ shall see a seed whose days shall be prolonged; and under His reign, the Church is promised a season of incalculable fertility.

What has been said explains the name given to the Church or children of God. And truly, it is surprising that any—though few in number—should be gathered out of a world lying in ruins and inhabited by the children of wrath. It is still more surprising that such vast multitudes are regenerated by the Spirit of Christ and by the Word.

At the same time, we should remember that to carry out God’s commands promptly and cheerfully, and to be guided solely by His will, is the unique honor and privilege of His chosen. For Christ will recognize no one as His people except those who willingly take His yoke upon them and come into His presence at the voice of His Word.

And so that no one imagines that eye-service is a proper fulfillment of their duty, the Psalmist rightly adds that Christ will not be satisfied with mere external ceremony, but that He must be worshipped with true reverence, such as He Himself instructs us to bring into the presence of God.