In Psalm 68:18, what does ‘captives in your train’ mean?

from the old testament

• Some translations of Psalm 68:18, like the ESV, translate this verse as saying, “You ascended on high, leading a host of captives in your train.” The ESV has drawn from the historical context to describe the many captives like God’s royal train. As He moves, there is a long train (line) of captives in His wake.
• The literal translation of Hebrew is closer to, “You have led captive Your captives” (NASB). In other words, “train” is not in Hebrew. However, the ESV—and other translations—have chosen it because it provides a contextually valid image of what is happening. A “train,” for an ancient king, was his trailing robe that would drag along the ground, following him. Because such material was costly, a king’s train showed his majesty and wealth. Additionally, in ancient war culture, a victorious king would lead the way home with a trail of captives following behind him. These captives were considered spoils of war. So, the phrase “captives in your train” refers to the line of captives following behind the conquering leader. Other words that could be used to replace the word “train” are “parade” or “procession.”
• This imagery fits well with the Psalm, who pictures the majestic God (Psalm 68:33–35) as Savior of Israel (Psalm 68:19).
• Interestingly, in this passage, God is not leading His enemies away but has captured those who had been captured (“led captive Your captives”). The people of Israel had been captured throughout history and Psalm 68 was figuratively talking about their deliverance (Psalm 68:20).

from the new testament

• Paul quotes Psalm 68:18 in Ephesians 4:8, saying, “‘When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.’” What were the gifts He gave? Contextually in Ephesians, they were spiritual gifts of leadership. Paul continued, “and he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11–12). These gifts from God enable the “captives in His train” to be strengthened and grow in spiritual maturity.
• Second Corinthians 2:14 also describes believers in Jesus as a part of God’s victorious train: “But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.” In these New Testament references, speaking of believers as “captives” indicates that they are no longer slaves to sin but have become slaves to Christ instead (Romans 6:16–18, 22–23). They are the “spoils of war,” stolen from the enemy.

implications for today

God is a great God. He sent His Son into the very jaws of death with the purpose of setting His people free. When Jesus resurrected and ascended, He brought behind Him a train of slaves, all the believers past, present, and future. As slaves of Jesus, we no longer belong to the enemy. Instead, we belong to Jesus. This means that we are free from sin and death and bound to obey our righteous Savior.

Because of society’s long history with wicked forms of slavery, becoming a slave of Christ may not sound appealing. However, the yoke of our Savior is light (Matthew 11:28–30). As the good Shepherd, He protects us (John 10:11–18). And, as His slaves, we are now free to stop sinning and begin living like Him. Paul tells us what this means:

“Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness? But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:16–18, 22–23). Because Jesus freed us from bondage, we now belong to Him. As such, we are called to pursue righteousness so we will be like our King (1 John 3:2–3).