Psalms 18:44
As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me: the strangers shall submit themselves unto me.
Original Language Analysis
לְשֵׁ֣מַֽע
As soon as they hear
H8088
לְשֵׁ֣מַֽע
As soon as they hear
Strong's:
H8088
Word #:
1 of 8
something heard, i.e., a sound, rumor, announcement; abstractly, audience
אֹ֭זֶן
H241
יִשָּׁ֣מְעוּ
of me they shall obey
H8085
יִשָּׁ֣מְעוּ
of me they shall obey
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
3 of 8
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
בְּנֵֽי
me the strangers
H1121
בְּנֵֽי
me the strangers
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
5 of 8
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
נֵ֝כָ֗ר
H5236
נֵ֝כָ֗ר
Strong's:
H5236
Word #:
6 of 8
foreign, or (concretely) a foreigner, or (abstractly) heathendom
Cross References
Psalms 81:15The haters of the LORD should have submitted themselves unto him: but their time should have endured for ever.Psalms 66:3Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee.Deuteronomy 33:29Happy art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, O people saved by the LORD, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency! and thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; and thou shalt tread upon their high places.Isaiah 62:8The LORD hath sworn by his right hand, and by the arm of his strength, Surely I will no more give thy corn to be meat for thine enemies; and the sons of the stranger shall not drink thy wine, for the which thou hast laboured:Psalms 68:30Rebuke the company of spearmen, the multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the people, till every one submit himself with pieces of silver: scatter thou the people that delight in war.Ezekiel 44:7In that ye have brought into my sanctuary strangers, uncircumcised in heart, and uncircumcised in flesh, to be in my sanctuary, to pollute it, even my house, when ye offer my bread, the fat and the blood, and they have broken my covenant because of all your abominations.2 Samuel 1:13And David said unto the young man that told him, Whence art thou? And he answered, I am the son of a stranger, an Amalekite.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern vassals would submit to powerful kings upon hearing of their might, bringing tribute and pledging allegiance to avoid conquest.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God establish your influence through reputation and His work in your life?
- What's the difference between genuine submission to Christ and reluctant compliance?
Analysis & Commentary
Foreigners came cringing, submitting 'as soon as they heard.' The Hebrew 'shama' (heard) suggests David's reputation preceded him. The 'cringing' ('kachash'—pretending/yielding reluctantly) indicates submission without genuine loyalty. This demonstrates God establishing David's authority through reputation and fear. It anticipates Christ's name before which every knee will bow (Philippians 2:10), some willingly and some reluctantly.