Psalms 68:18

“They prevented me in the day of my calamity, etc.] Referring to the times of his distress in the garden and upon the cross; the time of his sufferings and death, which was a dark and cloudy day, as the word f269 used suggests, both in a literal and in a spiritual sense; and when the day and hour was come, fixed and determined by the will of God, then his enemies, though not before, met him, laid hold on him, were too mighty for him, condemned, crucified, and insulted him; but the Lord was my stay; or staff, on whom he leaned, relied, and depended, believing he would help him; and by whom he was supported and upheld, (<234201>Isaiah 42:1 50:7-9 49:7,8). The Targum is, “the Word of the Lord…”

“From the scene of conquest He ascends to His throne, leading-- captivity captive--or, "many captives captive" (Jdg 5:12). received gifts for men--accepting their homage, even when forced, as that of rebels. that the Lord God might dwell--or literally, "to dwell, O Lord God" (compare Psa 68:16) --that is, to make this hill, His people or Church, His dwelling. This Psalm typifies the conquests of the Church under her divine leader, Christ. He, indeed, "who was with the Church in the wilderness" (Act 7:38) is the Lord, described in this ideal ascension. Hence Paul (Eph 4:8) applies this language to describe His real ascension, when, having conquered sin, death, and hell, the Lord of glory…”

“Thou hast ascended on high - That is, Thou hast gone up to the high place; to thy throne; to thine abode. The idea is, that God had descended or come down from his dwelling-place in the case referred to in the psalm, and that having now secured a victory by vanquishing his foes, and having given deliverance to his people, he had now returned, or reascended to his seat. This may either mean his throne on earth, or his abode in heaven. It would seem most probable that the latter is the idea. Thou hast led captivity captive - “Thou hast made captivity captive,” or “Thou hast captured a captivity.” The main idea is, that he had achieved a complete victory; he had led all his foes captive. The…”

“Ascended - This has a manifest reference to Christ, and his ascension into heaven, in whom alone it is literally accomplished, and to whom therefore it is ascribed, Eph 4:8. Although the expressions are borrowed from the ancient custom of princes, who, after some glorious achievements, used to go up into their royal cities in triumphant chariots, being attended by their captive enemies, and afterward to distribute gifts to their soldiers and subjects, and sometimes to do some acts of clemency even to their rebels and enemies. Captivity - Those whom thou hast taken captive; death and sin, and the devil, and all the enemies of Christ, and of his people, whom Christ led in triumph, having…”

“68:18 When you ascended to the heights: The Most High established his reign victoriously in Zion. • a crowd of captives . . . gifts: This is an image of a victorious ruler leading the victory march after battle. Paul applied this image to Jesus Christ (Eph 4:8-13).”

“ascended: Psa 24:3, Psa 24:7-10, Psa 47:5, Psa 110:1; Mar 16:9; Luk 24:51; Act 1:2-9; Eph 4:8-10; Heb 4:14, Heb 6:20, Heb 8:1; Pe1 3:22 led: Jdg 5:12 received: Luk 24:49; Joh 14:16, Joh 14:17, Joh 16:7, Joh 16:13-15; Act 1:4, Act 2:4, Act 2:33-38; Eph 4:8 for men: Heb. in the man, Co1 15:45-47; Col 1:18, Col 1:19, Col 2:3, Col 2:9; Heb 1:3 rebellious: Pro 1:22, Pro 1:23; Isa 55:7; Mat 9:13; Luk 24:47; Act 2:23, Act 2:36, Act 2:38-41, Act 9:17; Co1 6:9-11; Ti1 1:13-15; Tit 3:3-7 that: Psa 78:60, Psa 132:13, Psa 132:14; Ch2 6:18; Isa 57:15; Eze 48:35; Joh 14:17, Joh 14:23; Co2 6:16; Rev 1:20, Rev 2:1, Rev 21:3 Psalms 68:19”