Charles Ellicott Commentary Psalms 18:44

"As soon as they hear of me they shall obey me; The foreigners shall submit themselves unto me." — Psalms 18:44 (ASV)

As soon as — that is, at the bare mention of my victories. An actual instance is recorded (2 Samuel 8:9 and following). For the expression, compare Job 42:5.

The strangers shall. — See margin. More literally, come with flattery. In Samuel the two clauses are transposed and slightly varied.