King James Version
What Does Psalms 68:18 Mean?
“Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them. for men: Heb. in the man”
Context
16
Why leap ye, ye high hills? this is the hill which God desireth to dwell in; yea, the LORD will dwell in it for ever.
17
The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place. even: or, even many thousands
18
Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them. for men: Heb. in the man
19
Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.
20
He that is our God is the God of salvation; and unto GOD the Lord belong the issues from death.
Commentary
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers(18) **Thou hast ascended on high.**—Or, *to the height, i.e., *Mount Zion, as in Psalms 24 (Comp. Jeremiah 31:12; Ezekiel 20:40.)
**Captivity captive.**—Or, *captives into captivity. *(See Judges 5:12, Note.)
**For men.**—This rendering is inadmissible. Literally, *in man, *which is equivalent to our *of men. Gifts of men *are therefore *captives *or *hostages, *viz., the *rebellious *in the next clause, *i.e.*, the *heathen, *whom the poet describes as subjected to Jehovah, and their land made His dweiling-place. (For St. Paul’s citation of this verse, or its original, see Note, Ephesians 4:8, *New Testament Commentary.*)
Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.
Historical Context
This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
Theological Significance
Psalms 68:18 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Cross-References
Verses related to Psalms 68:18
Cross-references from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge