But in 2 Samuel 22:44-46 a transition is made to victory over strangers'; that is, foreign nations. The triumph over the strivings of my people' heartens the singer to expect that he will be' head of the nations.' The other version of the hymn (Psalm 18.) reads simply the people.' The picture of hasty surrender as soon as they hear of me' is graphic, His very name conquers. The strangers shall submit themselves unto me' is literally shall lie,' or yield feigned obedience. They fade away,' as if withered by the hot wind of the desert. They shall come limping' (as the word here used signifies), as if wounded in the fight, for which Psalm 18, reads trembling.'
Now this vision of extended conquests, based as it is on past smaller victories, carries valuable lessons. David here lays hold of the great promises to his house of a wide dominion, and expects the beginnings of their fulfillment to himself. And he did extend his conquests beyond the territory of Israel. But we may take the hope as an instance in a particular direction of what should be the issue of all experience of God's mercies. To-morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant.' Smaller victories will be followed by greater. Our reception of God's favoring help should widen our anticipations. Our gratitude to Him should be a lively sense of favors to come.' Progressive victory should be the experience of every believer.
We may see, too, dimly apparent through the large hope of the Psalmist-King, the prophecy of the worldwide victories of his Son, in whom the great promises of a dominion from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth,' are fulfilled.
