2 Samuel 22:45
New International Version
foreigners cower before me; as soon as they hear of me, they obey me.

New Living Translation
Foreign nations cringe before me; as soon as they hear of me, they submit.

English Standard Version
Foreigners came cringing to me; as soon as they heard of me, they obeyed me.

Berean Standard Bible
Foreigners cower before me; when they hear me, they obey me.

King James Bible
Strangers shall submit themselves unto me: as soon as they hear, they shall be obedient unto me.

New King James Version
The foreigners submit to me; As soon as they hear, they obey me.

New American Standard Bible
“Foreigners pretend to obey me; As soon as they hear, they obey me.

NASB 1995
“Foreigners pretend obedience to me; As soon as they hear, they obey me.

NASB 1977
“Foreigners pretend obedience to me; As soon as they hear, they obey me.

Legacy Standard Bible
Foreigners cower before me; As soon as they hear, they obey me.

Amplified Bible
“Foreigners pretend obedience to me; As soon as they hear [me], they obey me.

Christian Standard Bible
Foreigners submit to me cringing; as soon as they hear, they obey me.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Foreigners submit to me grudgingly; as soon as they hear, they obey me.

American Standard Version
The foreigners shall submit themselves unto me: As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me.

Contemporary English Version
They obey and come crawling.

English Revised Version
The strangers shall submit themselves unto me: as soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Foreigners will cringe in front of me. As soon as they hear of me, they will obey me.

Good News Translation
Foreigners bow before me; when they hear me, they obey.

International Standard Version
Foreigners came cringing to me; they obeyed as soon as they heard me.

Majority Standard Bible
Foreigners cower before me; when they hear me, they obey me.

NET Bible
Foreigners are powerless before me; when they hear of my exploits, they submit to me.

New Heart English Bible
as soon as they hear of me they obey me. Foreigners come cringing to me;

Webster's Bible Translation
Strangers shall submit themselves to me: as soon as they hear, they shall be obedient to me.

World English Bible
The foreigners will submit themselves to me. As soon as they hear of me, they will obey me.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Sons of a stranger feign obedience to me, "" At the hearing of the ear they listen to me.

Young's Literal Translation
Sons of a stranger feign obedience to me, At the hearing of the ear they hearken to me.

Smith's Literal Translation
The sons of the stranger will lie to me: For the hearing of the ear they will hear to me.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The sons of the stranger will resist me, at the hearing of the ear they will obey me.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The sons of foreigners, who will resist me, at the hearing of the ear they will be obedient to me.

New American Bible
Foreigners cringed before me; as soon as they heard of me they obeyed.

New Revised Standard Version
Foreigners came cringing to me; as soon as they heard of me, they obeyed me.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Those who give ear shall hearken to me; the sons of strangers shall be obedient to me.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The hearing ear shall hear me. The sons of foreigners shall submit themselves to me
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
The sons of the stranger dwindle away before me; As soon as they hear of me, they obey me.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
The strange children feigned obedience to me; they hearkened to me as soon as they heard.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David's Song of Deliverance
44You have delivered me from the strife of my people; You have preserved me as the head of nations; a people I had not known shall serve me. 45Foreigners cower before me; when they hear me, they obey me. 46Foreigners lose heart and come trembling from their strongholds.…

Cross References
Psalm 18:44
When they hear me, they obey me; foreigners cower before me.

Isaiah 55:5
Surely you will summon a nation you do not know, and nations who do not know you will run to you. For the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, has bestowed glory on you.”

Deuteronomy 33:29
Blessed are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD? He is the shield that protects you, the sword in which you boast. Your enemies will cower before you, and you shall trample their high places.”

Psalm 66:3
Say to God, “How awesome are Your deeds! So great is Your power that Your enemies cower before You.

Psalm 81:15
Those who hate the LORD would feign obedience, and their doom would last forever.

Psalm 144:7-11
Reach down from on high; set me free and rescue me from the deep waters, from the grasp of foreigners, / whose mouths speak falsehood, whose right hands are deceitful. / I will sing to You a new song, O God; on a harp of ten strings I will make music to You— ...

Isaiah 45:14
This is what the LORD says: “The products of Egypt and the merchandise of Cush, along with the Sabeans, men of stature, will come over to you and will be yours; they will trudge behind you; they will come over in chains and bow down to you. They will confess to you: ‘God is indeed with you, and there is no other; there is no other God.’”

Isaiah 49:23
Kings will be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers. They will bow to you facedown and lick the dust at your feet. Then you will know that I am the LORD; those who hope in Me will never be put to shame.”

Isaiah 60:14
The sons of your oppressors will come and bow down to you; all who reviled you will fall facedown at your feet and call you the City of the LORD, Zion of the Holy One of Israel.

Micah 7:17
They will lick the dust like a snake, like reptiles slithering on the ground. They will come trembling from their strongholds in the presence of the LORD our God; they will tremble in fear of You.

Acts 13:46-48
Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “It was necessary to speak the word of God to you first. But since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. / For this is what the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’” / When the Gentiles heard this, they rejoiced and glorified the word of the Lord, and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.

Romans 15:9-12
so that the Gentiles may glorify God for His mercy. As it is written: “Therefore I will praise You among the Gentiles; I will sing hymns to Your name.” / Again, it says: “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people.” / And again: “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and extol Him, all you peoples.” ...

Philippians 2:10-11
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, / and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Revelation 3:9
As for those who belong to the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews but are liars instead, I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and they will know that I love you.

Psalm 2:8
Ask Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance, the ends of the earth Your possession.


Treasury of Scripture

Strangers shall submit themselves to me: as soon as they hear, they shall be obedient to me.

Strangers [heb] Sons of the stranger

Isaiah 56:3,6
Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying, The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree…

submit themselves.

Deuteronomy 33:29
Happy 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.

Psalm 18:44,45
As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me: the strangers shall submit themselves unto me…

Psalm 66:3
Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee.

Jump to Previous
Authority Countries Cringing Dwindle Ears False. Feign Foreigners Hear Heard Hearken Hearts Obedience Obedient Obey Obeyed Pretend Soon Stranger Strangers Submit Themselves Time
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2 Samuel 22
1. David's psalm of thanksgiving for God's deliverance and blessings














Foreigners
The term "foreigners" in this context refers to non-Israelite nations or people who were outside the covenant community of Israel. In the Hebrew text, the word used is "נֵכָר" (nekhar), which often denotes those who are alien or unfamiliar. Historically, Israel was surrounded by various nations, often hostile, and this verse reflects the fulfillment of God's promise to give David victory over his enemies. Theologically, it underscores the idea that God's chosen leader, empowered by divine authority, would command respect and submission even from those outside the covenant.

cower
The Hebrew root for "cower" is "כָּחַשׁ" (kachash), which can mean to cringe, submit, or feign obedience. This word paints a vivid picture of the fear and respect instilled in the hearts of David's enemies. It suggests not just a physical act of submission but an acknowledgment of the power and authority that God had bestowed upon David. In a broader spiritual sense, it reflects the ultimate triumph of God's will over the forces of opposition.

before me
This phrase indicates the presence and authority of David as God's anointed king. The Hebrew preposition "לִפְנֵי" (lifnei) means "before" or "in the presence of," suggesting a direct confrontation or encounter. It emphasizes the personal nature of David's victories, as he stands as a representative of God's power and justice. Historically, it reminds us of the many battles David fought and won, establishing Israel as a dominant force in the region.

when they hear me
The act of hearing in Hebrew, "שָׁמַע" (shama), often implies not just auditory reception but also understanding and obedience. This phrase highlights the authority of David's voice, which, by extension, is the voice of God’s chosen leader. It suggests that the mere proclamation of David's commands was enough to compel action, reflecting the divine backing of his kingship. In a spiritual sense, it calls believers to recognize the power of God's word and the importance of listening and responding to His call.

they obey me
The Hebrew word for "obey" is "שָׁמַע" (shama), which, as mentioned, involves hearing with the intent to act. This obedience is not merely out of fear but also an acknowledgment of the rightful authority. In the context of David's reign, it signifies the establishment of peace and order through divine intervention. For contemporary believers, it serves as a reminder of the importance of obedience to God's commands, recognizing His ultimate authority in our lives.

(45) As soon as they hear.--This and the previous clause are transposed in the psalm, this clause there constituting 2Samuel 22:44.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Foreigners
בְּנֵ֥י (bə·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

cower
יִתְכַּֽחֲשׁוּ־ (yiṯ·ka·ḥă·šū-)
Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3584: To disappoint, deceive, fail, grow lean

before me;
לִ֑י (lî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew

when they hear me,
לִשְׁמ֥וֹעַ (liš·mō·w·a‘)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

they obey
יִשָּׁ֥מְעוּ (yiš·šā·mə·‘ū)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

me.
לִֽי׃ (lî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew


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OT History: 2 Samuel 22:45 The foreigners will submit themselves to me (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
2 Samuel 22:44
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