You have ascended on high; You have led captives away. You have received gifts from men, even from the rebellious, that the LORD God may dwell there.
David composed this psalm to celebrate victories God granted him over his enemies, most likely after his triumph over the Ammonites and Syrians when the ark returned to Jerusalem. The ark's ascent to the holy mountain prefigures Christ's far more glorious ascension to heaven after He conquered His enemies and ours. Though the psalm rises to great heights of sublimity, its interpretation presents considerable difficulty at many points.
AI summary
Commenting on Psalm 68:1-35
Thou hast ascended on high. The ark was conducted to the summit of Zion; God himself took possession of the high places of the earth, being extolled and very high. The antitype of the ark, the Lord Jesus, has ascended into the heavens with signal marks of triumph.
David, having given God praise for what he had done for Israel in general, as the God of Israel (Psa 68:8), here comes to give him praise as Zion's God in a special manner; compare Psa 9:11. Sing praises to the Lord who dwelleth in Zion, for which reason Zion is called the hill of God. I.
Commenting on Psalm 68:15-21