Psalms 18:43,44 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Thou hast delivered me from the strivings of the people From the contentions, seditions, and tumults of my own people under Saul, and during the civil war raised by Abner in favour of Ishbosheth, when the tribes strove with each other; and from the invasions of the Philistines who attacked him soon after his accession to the throne. Thou hast made me the head of the heathen Of the Ammonites, Moabites, Edomites, Syrians, and others, who were become tributary to him by his victories over them: see 2. Samuel Psalms 8:1; 1 Chronicles 18. A people whom I have not known Whom I had no acquaintance with nor relation to, not even by thy promise or grant; that is, barbarous and remote nations, shall serve me Shall be subject to me. As soon as they hear of me At the fame of my name and victorious arms, or upon the first tidings of my coming toward them; they shall obey me They shall instantly comply with my will, as soon as they understand it. The strangers shall submit themselves unto me The Hebrew is literally, the sons of the strangers shall lie unto me; that is, shall submit themselves to me, not willingly and cheerfully, as they will pretend, but only out of fear and by constraint. By this it appears, that this is spoken with reference to David, and not (as some would have it) to Christ; because Christ's people are a willing people, (Psalms 110:3,) and those whom he conquers freely obey him.