Psalm 68:18 You have ascended on high, you have led captivity captive; you have received
gifts among men, even from the rebellious, that the LORD God might dwell there.
Acts 1:9 Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and
a cloud received Him out of their sight.
Eph 4:7-8 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's
gift. Therefore He says: "When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And
gave gifts to men."
- The New Testament applies this verse to the risen Christ.
- Mount Zion is the earthly type of the heavenly mount.
- Jesus said that He must ascend to the Father.
- "Led captivity captive" speaks of victory as in the song of Deborah.
- Leading captivity captive speaks of the utter defeat of captivity.
- Any enemy who holds God’s people captive has been led captive.
- In relation to the Messiah, Christ has triumphed over, and bound forever,
Satan, sin, and death, which once held man captive. (Col 2:15; 1 Cor 15:54).
- Gifts speak of that which was won from the conquered enemies.
- The gifts won by Christ's victory over the powers of evil are distributed to
His people.
- "From the rebellious" speaks in a preliminary sense of David’s enemies and in a greater and secondary sense to all of Christ’s enemies who become objects of punishment.
- "That the LORD God might dwell there" is a clear reference to the indwelling
of God within His Temple, which are His people.
Shahar - Psalm 68:18 - Audio (right click and choose "save target as")