Psalms 18:44 - Exposition

As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me ; literally, at the hearing of the ear. But the meaning is that given in the Authorized Version. The words aptly describe the conversion of the Gentiles (see Acts 10:34-48 ; Acts 13:48 ; Acts 17:11 ; Acts 18:8 , etc.). The strangers shall submit themselves unto me; literally, the sons of the stranger shall pay court to me—not necessarily a false court, as Hengstenberg and others suppose, but, as Dr. Kay explains, an "obsequious and servile homage."