18 When you ascended on high, you took many captives; you received gifts from people, even from[1] the rebellious- that you,[2]Lord God, might dwell there.

Other Translations of Psalm 68:18

King James Version

18 Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; for men: Heb. in the man yea, for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them.

English Standard Version

18 You ascended on high, leading a host of captives in your train and receiving gifts among men, even among the rebellious, that the Lord God may dwell there.

The Message

18 You climbed to the High Place, captives in tow, your arms full of booty from rebels, And now you sit there in state, God, sovereign God!

New King James Version

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.

New Living Translation

18 When you ascended to the heights, you led a crowd of captives. You received gifts from the people, even from those who rebelled against you. Now the Lord God will live among us there.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 68:18

Commentary on Psalm 68:15-21

(Read Psalm 68:15-21)

The ascension of Christ must here be meant, and thereto it is applied, John 17:2. Christ came to a rebellious world, not to condemn it, but that through him it might be saved. The glory of Zion's King is, that he is a Saviour and Benefactor to all his willing people, and a consuming fire to all that persist in rebellion against him. So many, so weighty are the gifts of God's bounty, that he may be truly said to load us with them. He will not put us off with present things for a portion, but will be the God of our salvation. The Lord Jesus has authority and power to rescue his people from the dominion of death, by taking away the sting of it from them when they die, and giving them complete victory over it when they rise again. The crown of the head, the chief pride and glory of the enemy, shall be smitten; Christ shall crush the head of the serpent.

8 This is why it[3] says: "When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people."[4]

Other Translations of Ephesians 4:8

King James Version

8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captivity...: or, a multitude of captives captive, and gave gifts unto men.

English Standard Version

8 Therefore it says, "When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men."

The Message

8 The text for this is, He climbed the high mountain, He captured the enemy and seized the booty, He handed it all out in gifts to the people.

New King James Version

8 Therefore He says: "When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men."

New Living Translation

8 That is why the Scriptures say, "When he ascended to the heights, he led a crowd of captives and gave gifts to his people."

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Ephesians 4:8

Commentary on Ephesians 4:7-16

(Read Ephesians 4:7-16)

Unto every believer is given some gift of grace, for their mutual help. All is given as seems best to Christ to bestow upon every one. He received for them, that he might give to them, a large measure of gifts and graces; particularly the gift of the Holy Ghost. Not a mere head knowledge, or bare acknowledging Christ to be the Son of God, but such as brings trust and obedience. There is a fulness in Christ, and a measure of that fulness given in the counsel of God to every believer; but we never come to the perfect measure till we come to heaven. God's children are growing, as long as they are in this world; and the Christian's growth tends to the glory of Christ. The more a man finds himself drawn out to improve in his station, and according to his measure, all that he has received, to the spiritual good of others, he may the more certainly believe that he has the grace of sincere love and charity rooted in his heart.