This verse continues with well-known images of the Lord (compare e.g., with Psalm 46:1–11 and Psalm 48:1–14): fortress, stronghold, shield. It is noteworthy that the first word is more general and not military. Therefore, one may consider seeing this verse as follows: He is my strong help and that is clear from his role as fortress, stronghold, saviour, shield.
The last sentence of Psalm 144:2 is written as subduing my people to me
in the Hebrew text. Based on the Dead Sea scrolls, it is better to translate it as “subduing peoples to me’. This is often how modern translations have translated the text.
2 he is my steadfast love and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield and he in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me.