Thy People Shall Be Willing

Part 11 of a series on The Christian and The Psalms.

By Simon Padbury • 22 November 2025 • 25 minutes read

In Psalm 110:2 we saw1 that the “rod of [Christ’s] strength” is the preaching of his gospel, sent out by the LORD from Jerusalem into all the world. Christ’s strength is the means by which his great commission to his disciples is fulfilled: to preach the gospel to every creature, among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem (Mark 16:15; Luke 24:47). The good news of salvation by the Lord Jesus Christ is indeed “the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16). Those who are called to Christ come to know that he is indeed “the power of God, and the wisdom of God” (1 Corinthians 1:24).2

Now in third verse in Psalm 110 we learn: “Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power,3 in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.” In this day of Christ’s power—namely this New Testament Age in which we live until all his enemies are made his footstool—Christ is presently reigning as King at God’s right hand and building his Church on earth.

In this day we his people are are, and must be, willing to do what? Willing to be what?

But first we must ask: how does Christ obtain a willing people in the day of his power? How do fallen human beings attempting to hide from God; unrighteous, not-seeking after God, children of wrath such as ourselves; people who loved darkness rather than light because our deeds were evil; people who were not willing to come to Christ that we might have life (Genesis 3; Romans 3:10-18; Ephesians 2:3; John 3:19; 5:40)—how are sinners changed to become Christ’s humbled and repentant subjects, thankful knee-bowing servants, joy-filled tongue-confessing worshippers, and citizens of the kingdom of heaven? How does Christ obtain such a willing people in this day of the his power? Who changes our hearts? God himself does. It is the LORD who makes the Messiah’s enemies his footstool, and it is the LORD who sends forth the rod of his strength, enabling him to rule on in heaven and on earth, even in the midst of his enemies (Psalm 110:1-2; Matthew 21:41-46).

When We Were Enemies

We were Christ’s enemies. For we were enemies of God, until he reconciled us to himself by the death of his Son (Romans 5:6, 8, 10). Paul expands upon this in his epistle to the Colossians: “In whom [God’s dear son] we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight” (Colossians 1:13-22).

Notice how the apostle is here following the hundred and tenth Psalm here, as he moves from Christ’s kinghood to his people’s reconciliation and willing subjection to him.

The Lord Jesus Christ is, of course, more than simply the King of his kingdom: he is the Saviour who saves his people from their sins (Matthew 1:21).4 Yes Jesus is King—he is the King who saves his people from their sins, who redeems them by his own blood, who makes peace between God and men, who enables God to forgive all our sins against him, and who is God’s mediator by which he reconciles all things to himself. Not war but peace. Not by subjugation but by reconciliation. Not by your blood or mine or anyone else’s, but by the precious blood of Jesus Christ. This is David’s Lord (Psalm 110:1) and our Lord.

Increasing numbers these days want to march and fight behind Chist as though he were a Warrior King, but they do not want him as Saviour. But our fight is not that fight. That is not the war we are in, as Christians. Christianity is not that kind of religion. A false Christ can be weaponised and politicised, but not the true Christ. Therefore the Church must stand against being weaponised or politicised.

The Ministry of Reconciliation

The Church has been given a ministry of reconciliation: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation [i.e. the gospel of Christ]. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (2 Corinthians 5:17-21).

All whom the Father gives to Christ shall come to Christ (John 6:44-45, 65). For it is “[God] Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son” (Colossians 1:13). All who become the Lord’s people are delivered by God himself from this world of sin, and given to the Saviour who saves them from their sins. It was not us who did it, but it is God who has reconciled us to himself. The whole of our salvation comes from our Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, from beginning to end (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14; 1 Peter 1:2).

The Great Commission that the Church is under from her King, from the Lord Jesus Christ who has all authority in heaven and earth, is to “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). And in all this great work of the Church, our Emmanuel is with us, always and even today, through to the end of this age; and we shall forever be with him (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23; 28:20; 1 Thessalonians 4:17).

Overcome Evil with Good

What we are take out to the world is the gospel—that is our what Lord has commissioned us to do. And we are to be unashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is “the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth”. And we are to be always ready to give an answer, or apologia,5 for the hope that is within us: “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear [i.e. reverence, or deference]: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ” (1 Peter 3:15-16).

We are not to be hostile or unpleasant (not belligerent or obnoxious), but we are to be the salt of the earth and light of the world (Matthew 5:13-16; see also Colossians 4:5-6), we are to endeavour to live peaceably with all men, and overcome evil with good; and we are not to give offence in anything (2 Corinthians 6:1-10).

Our answer must necessarily have as its basis the Holy Scripture; that is, its correct interpretation. Or else, it is not an answer for the hope that is within us. We must take the opportunity to explain the reason for our assured hope in our Saviour, that we have within our soul—we must present the gospel again, in greater detail, according to the Scriptures. We must give a clear account that ensures that the gospel is not misunderstood. Our defence must clear up misconceptions and false gospels. In all this we point to the true Lord Jesus Christ, in whom is all our hope. He is “the hope that is within us”.

This is the “good fight” that we are fighting, or should be fighting (1 Timothy 6:12; 2 Timothy 4:7). The Christian’s holy war is not about taking lives, or taking territories, or taking institutions, or taking governments, but about walking in newness of life and sharing the gospel; it is not about destruction but living as a new creation (2 Timothy 1:8-10; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21).

The Gospel of Peace

Are we willing, are we prepared, are we ready? Are we standing in God’s “armour”, with our “feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6:10-18)? In this day of our Lord’s power, are you willing to share the gospel of the Saviour, your Saviour, as best you can?

No, we do not “war after the flesh”. In the “whole armour of God” that God has given to us, the “sword of the Spirit” that Christians bear, our only weapon, is “the word of God”—the Holy Scriptures. And the Church wields this weapon first against the evil within itself, in combatting the “wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11); that is untruths, errors, false gospels, and heresies that come in and establish “strong holds” (i.e. castles; fortresses) within the Church (2 Corinthians 10:4).

The weapons of our warfare are “not carnal”, but they are nonetheless “mighty through God” for the pulling down of these strongholds. In those people who come to believe, it is ultimately the word of God that casts down all contrary imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and that brings into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:4-7). This is how we are sanctified by the truth; this is how we are transformed by the renewing of our minds (John 17:17; Romans 12:2).

No, the kingdom of God does not expand by violent means. Christians are not made by the sword. But these military metaphors remind us that there is an inevitable clash of powers, religions, ideologies, and philosophies.

On Earth Peace, Good Will Toward Men

Very sadly, it is also true that when people reject the gospel, there is sometimes family and civil division, ostracisation, unrest, and various forms of persecution. Since not all are saved, Christ has warned us that when he comes in the spreading of the gospel on earth, this is not peace but a “sword” through the societies of those who reject him—because the Lord’s people will be hated of all men for his name’s sake. The physical sword, and so much more, is against Christians and against Christ himself. And Christ encourages his people to beware of men, to fear not them that can kill the body (Matthew 10:16-42); and he has a special blessing those who are persecuted hif his sake (Matthew 5:10-12). For our part, we are to do whatever we can to live peaceably with all men, and to overcome evil with good.

And the greatest good that Christians can do is to share and proclaim the gospel—it is the good news. Christians are to be the light of the world, even as our Saviour is, as we testify of him (Matthew 5:14-16; John 1:4-5; 8:12). “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God” (John 3:17-21).

Do not forget that our Lord Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace. We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. By the rod of his power he reconciles very many of his enemies to God. And he makes peace between people and peoples within his Church (Isaiah 9:6-7; Romans 5; Ephesians 2:14-22).

Remember Christ’s blessing upon true peacemakers: “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God” (Matthew 5:9).

The multitude of heavenly host was not wrong to praise God for Christ this way: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14).

In the Beauties of Holiness

The Church of Christ is the Kingdom of God that Christ speaks of in his parables of the Kingdom (Matthew chapter 13).6 The Kingdom of God is not about territory but people: “thy people shall be willing”. The true Church of Christ is not about wealth, status, property, land, resources, ideologies, philosophies, or systems of government, but about salvation, new spiritual life, godliness, good deeds, and moral excellence—so that “thy people shall be…in the beauties of holiness” (Psalm 110:3). Salvation and willing submission, love, thankfulness, honour, reverence, worship, obedience, and service.

The Lord’s people have the born-again, transformed will to obey, serve and worship God today, the day of Christ’s power, because “it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). All who receive Christ are “born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:12-13). And being “born…of God” they increasingly do not sin; they love God and the people of God; they believe Jesus is the Christ; they have victory and overcome the world; and they keep themselves from sin (1 John 3:9; 4:7-8; 5:1, 4, 18; 1 Peter 2:11 ff.).

These “beauties of holiness” characterise what the people of God both should be and shall be. And if we depart from this way—if we are true Christians, then we shall always be repenting and reforming to this pristine state, and pressing on toward this state: “in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning”.

The Hebrew word here translated as “the beauties”7 means the glory, the honour, the splendour, the excellency; and here the beauties being spoken of are “the beauties of holiness”. So this phrase points to a special consecrated place where God is worshipped. Commentators point out that this phrase “the beauty of holiness” was a way of speaking about the Temple, or the holy sanctuary. But we also see that in Psalm 96:9-10, the true worship of the LORD in the beauty of holiness is extended to all the earth, and to the heathen: all nations are called to worship the LORD in his holy sanctuary (not here named by what it is in substance: the Temple, but named by what it is in essence: the beauty, glory, honour, splendour, excellency of holiness). So the plural, “the beauties of holiness”, may initially have referred to the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies in the Temple; but there is a broader sense in which the worship of the LORD in the beauties of holiness must be found in all the public meetings of the local church, and must be found in each individual Christian.8 For we are called to be saints or holy ones (see e.g. Acts 9:32; 26:10; Romans 1:7; 8:27; 1 Corinthians 1:2; Ephesians 1:1, 15; Philemon v.5; Revelation 5:8). And as the apostle Paul teaches us, “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16).

The Church will one day be evidenced by, and famous for, such moral purity! For even as it can be said of her Lord, “thou hast the dew of thy youth” as in the fresh newness of the morning, so should this same thing be said of her. We will—we will “worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness” (Psalm 29:2; 96:9). One day we will fully obey the command of our Lord: “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). And if we love the Lord Jesus Christ, then we will keep his commandments, because the Triune God himself abiding in us shall enable us to do so (John 14:15-24).

All this is both commanded and prophesied of Christians throughout the New Testament Scriptures:

  • “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified” (Romans 8:29-30);
  • “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption” (1 Corinthians 1:30);
  • “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Corinthians 7:1);
  • “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:” (Ephesians 4:11-13);
  • “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish” (Ephesians 5:25-27);
  • “As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation” (1 Peter 1:14-15).

All these passages, and more like them, have to do with the beauties of holiness.

One day, one new morning, this will be true of all the Lord’s people: “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away” (Revelation 21:1-4). And so it shall be with true Christians as our Lord has said: “Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear” (Matthew 13:43).

Jesus Christ’s reign today, and throughout this New Testament Age as the Lord and King, will bring about an increase of his government and peace, and it shall know no end. It is an everlasting dominion that shall never be destroyed (Daniel 2:42; 7:13-14). And it it is becoming increasingly holy. The Lord’s people shall be willing in the day of his power, in the beauties of holiness—preaching and setting forth his gospel, and themselves increasingly walking in holiness and growing to bear his image, and to be like him: “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy” (1 Peter 2:9-10; see also Ephesians 4:24; 1 John 3:1-3).

Appendix

David Dixon, Explication of the Psalms, at Psalm 110:3:

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.

In the third place, the prophet showeth what success Christ shall have for he shall have abundance of converts, who shall come to his church offering themselves, as the free-will offerings were brought to the beautiful holy temple, and that in such multitudes and onfluence, as his young converts shall be innumerable, like the dw upon the grass, which dew issueth forth as it were from the morning’s womb as its daily birth. Whence learn, 1. Whatsoever course our Lord shall take, for imviting and compelling guests to come to his feast and to the society of his visible church, yet only his elect, his redeemed ones, all of them are made most willing converts by his omnipotent power effectually inclining their hearts, and making them willing: thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power. 2. Christ’s church, by the administration of holy ordinances, by setting forth the Lord’s holiness, by teaching and persuading effectually to the duties of holiness, is exceeding beautiful in the eyes of God and spiritual beholders: thy people shall be willing in the beauties of holiness. 3. True converts by the power of the gospel are Christ’s children and offspring, who shall grow up before him in simplicity and harmlessness as the youth in each generation grow, and shall be for a multitude as the stars of heaven, as the sand of the sea-shore, or as the morning dew descending from heaven: from the womb of the morning, thou hast the dew of thy youth.

Matthew Poole, Commentary on the Whole Bible at Matthew 5:9:

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

“The world blesseth the boisterous, unquiet party of it, that can never be still, but are continually thinking of more worlds to conquer, and blowing up the coals of war, division, and sedition: but they are blessed indeed, who study to be quiet, seeking peace, and pursuing it; and are so far from sowing the seeds of discord, or blowing those coals, that their great study is to make peace between God and man, and between a man and his neighbour, doing this in obedience to God, and out of a principle of love to God and men; for those that do so shall approve themselves like unto God, to be his children, and so they shall be called.”

David Dixon, Explication of the Psalms, at Psalm 96:9:

O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.

In thie third brance, the psalmist exhorteth more particularly all the Gentiles to worship and fear the same God as the hurch of the Jews. Whence learn, 1. True converts must submit themselves absoluely to Christ’s government, in sould and body; for O worship the Lord, importeth so much. 2. Then are a man’s worship and submission sanctified, and made acceptable, when it is offered in and through Christ, and in society ith his church represented by the sancruary [referred to in the previous verse], here called the beauty of holiness: worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness [i.e. in the sanctuary; in the church]. 3. Among all God’s works, nothing so beautiful as his ordinances, rightly made use of in his church: worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. 4. All our worship must be savoured with fear, lest we swerve on either hand from the rule prescribed by God: fear before him all the earth.

David Dixon, Explication of the Psalms, at Psalm 29:1-2:

1. Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD glory and strength. Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

He [David] directeth his speech and exhortation to the potentates of the earth, that they may humble themselves before God, and give him the glory of all power, and authority, and excellency above themselves, and above all other creatures. Hence learn, 1. Of all men princes should be most careful to glorify God, and yet it is most rare to see them humble themselves before him: for natural curruption is as strong in them as in others: their education breedeth them to high and stately thoughts of themselves, their riches and power puff them up, and flatterers, ordinarily following them, make them forget themselves and God also; therefore are they thrice [three times] here exhorted to give glory to God. 2. It is most necessary that potentates humble themselves before God, and be particularly dealt with [in this Psalm] to that purpose, because their example and authority move many outwardly to submit to God, or stand out from his service: therefore he speaketh to them in their grandeur: give glory to God, O ye mighty. 3. As men are great in the world, so are they ready to think much of their own strength, of what their power is able to reach to, and what honour is due to them; but if they reckon right, strength and honour belong to God. And according as he is above them in power and excellency, so should he proportionably be magnified: give unto the Lord glory and strength and give unto the Lord the glory due to his name. 4. He will have no glory of men, but as he hath prescribed to them in his own ordinances, given forth in his word to his church: worship him in the beauty of holiness, that is, in the glorious sanctuary, the place of public meeting; beautiful indeed, not for timber or stones so much, as because the holy and beautiful means of grace to men, and God’s worship shoring forth his glory, was there to be found.

John Calvin Commentaries, at Psalm 96:9:

O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.

Worship before Jehovah. The Psalmist prosecutes the same train of sentiment. In requiring oblations of his people, God was not to be considered as standing in need of the services of the creature, but as giving them an opportunity of professing their faith. The true reason, therefore, is here mentioned why the oblation was enjoined, That his people might prostrate themselves before him, and acknowledge that they and all belonging to them were his. Mention is made of the beauty of the temple, referring to the fact that the Gentiles should be raised to a new honor, in being associated into one body with God’s chosen people. At the time when this psalm was written, it was generally deemed scarcely credible that the heathen nations would be admitted into the temple in company with the holy seed of Abraham. This should make us think all the more highly of our calling as Gentiles, which seemed then so incredible and impracticable a thing. We may be convinced that God only could have opened for us the door of salvation. The beauty of the temple is an expression intended to beget a reverential view of the temple, that men may approach it with humble fear, instead of rushing without consideration into God’s presence. The clause which follows in the verse is inserted for the same purpose—tremble before his face, intimating that we should prostrate ourselves as suppliants before him when we consider his awful majesty. Not that he would deter worshippers from drawing near to God. They should esteem it their greatest pleasure and enjoyment to seek his face. But he would have us humbled to the right and serious worship of God. I may add, that the beauty or glory of the sanctuary did not consist in silver and gold, in the preciousness of the material of which it was made, nor in polished stones, nor in any splendor and decoration of this kind, but in the representation of the heavenly pattern which was shown to Moses on the mount (Exodus 25:9).

  1. See previous post, The Rod of Thy Strength. ↩︎

  2. The Greek word translated “power” in these two verses is δύναμις, dunamis, meaning strength, power, or ability (Strong’s Concordance, Greek Dictionary, number 1411). ↩︎

  3. The Hebrew word translated “power” here is חַיִל, chayil, meaning strength, might, virtue, or miracle (Strong’s Concordance, Hebrew Dictionary, number 2428). ↩︎

  4. We hope to say much more on this when we consider the New Testament references to the next verse in this Psalm that we are studying: Psalm 110:4. ↩︎

  5. The Greek word translated as “answer” is ἀπολογίαν, apologian (Strong’s Concordance, Greek Dictionary, number 627). The two parts of this word are ἀπό, apo (meaning off, away from; Strong’s Greek 575) and λόγος, logos (meaning spoken word; Strong’s Greek 3056). The combination word ἀπολογίαν means to give an explanation or account, in the sense of responding to a sceptical accusation by making a plea or legal defence for your faith, to exculpate yourself (clear yourself) of a false accusation (as Peter also says). ↩︎

  6. The Church is the Kingdom of God. It is not like other kingdoms or empires. See Genesis 3:15; 15:1-6; 17:1-8; Psalm 2:6-8; Daniel 2:35, 44-45; Isaiah 9:6-7; Matthew 13; 20:25-28; Mark 9:33-37; Luke 1:26-33, 46-55, 67-79; 22:66-71; 23:33-43; Acts 2:41; 4:4; 5:14; 15:16; Galatians 3:24-29; Revelation 7:4, 9; 21:9-27. ↩︎

  7. Hebrew הָדָר, hadar (Strong’s Concordance, Hebrew Dictionary, number 1926). ↩︎

  8. E.g. Matthew Poole’s Commentary at Psalm 96:9: “In the beauty of holiness; either in the holy place which he shall appoint to that end; or clothed with all those holy ornaments, those gifts and graces, which are necessary and required in God’s worship”. Matthew Henry’s Commentary at Psalm 96:9: “We must worship him in the beauty of holiness, in the solemn assembly where divine institutions are religiously observed, the beauty of which is their holiness, that is, their conformity to the rule. We must worship him with holy hearts, sanctified by the grace of God, devoted to the glory of God, and purified from the pollutions of sin”. See also the David Dixon and John Calvin quotes in the Appendix at the end of this article. ↩︎