Psalm 68:17-19 “The chariots of God are tens of thousands and thousands of thousands. The Lord is amongst them, from Sinai, into the sanctuary. You have ascended on high. You have led away captives. You have received gifts amongst people, yes, amongst the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell there. Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burdens, even the God who is our salvation. Selah.”

The Psalm describes God, accompanied by His angelic army, escorting Israel from Mt. Sinai to Mt. Zion. After the victorious campaign, Israel’s leader receives gifts from the spoils, but he is really a proxy for God. It is God who ultimately brings victory, bears burdens, provides salvation, and is worthy of praise!

Paul uses this passage to refer to Jesus Christ:

Ephesians 4:7-10 “But to each one of us, the grace was given according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Therefore he says, ‘When he ascended on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts to people.’ Now this, ‘He ascended’, what is it but that he also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.”

The Hebrew word for “receive” can mean “receive in order to give.” Paul understands it in this sense. Jesus has everything and distributes gifts as he will. We, in turn, use those gifts to worship and serve Him. Why? Because He brings victory, bears burdens, provides salvation, and is worthy of praise! By using this passage Paul identifies Jesus with God and reveals the concept of the trinity to us.

For additional worship: Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing (Reawaken Hymns)