Psalms 18:44

When they hear of my exploits, they submit to me. ¹  Foreigners are powerless ²  before me;

De 33:29; 2Sa 1:13; 2Sa 22:44-46; Ps 66:3; Ps 68:30; Ps 81:15; Isa 62:8; Eze 44:7; Ro 10:16,17

¹ tn Heb “at a report of an ear they submit to me.” The report of the psalmist’s exploits is so impressive that those who hear it submit to his rulership without putting up a fight.

² tn For the meaning “be weak, powerless” for כָּחַשׁ (kakhash), see Ps 109:24. The next line (see v. 45a), in which “foreigners” are also mentioned, favors this interpretation. Another option is to translate “cower in fear” (see Deut 33:29; Pss 66:3; 81:15; cf. NIV “cringe”; NRSV “came cringing”).