Verse 18
18. Thou hast ascended on high Literally, Thou hast gone up to the height. That this has a typical application to the ascension of Christ is proved by Ephesians 4:8-9. But it must have had a historical significance in the ascent of the ark to Zion, when “all Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting:” (2 Samuel 6:15: compare also Psalms 47:5; Jeremiah 31:12; Ezekiel 20:40;) or, if taken as an allusion to the king ascending to the judgment-seat, see on Psalms 7:7.
Thou hast led captivity captive See a similar form of speech Judges 5:12, also Deuteronomy 21:10, where the Hebrew is, “And thou hast led captive thy captivity,” the noun being in the abstract, “captivity,” as in Psalms 68:13, not in the concrete for captive, prisoner. To lead “captivity captive” denotes the most perfect triumph. The source and cause of captivity is itself led captive.
Received gifts for men Literally, Received gifts in men, as if the chief spoils of the victory were the prisoners. But the grand prophetic idea must take the ascendency here. No close rendering, or mere historic application, can give the fullness of the language. All is explained by the apostle. Ephesians 4:8-12; Colossians 2:15. Psalms 68:19; Psalms 68:19 is a doxology for the great and abundant grace just described.
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