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

Quick answer

A conquering king in ancient times would take captives back to his land, and they would trail behind, forming a long line—a “train”—behind him. In Psalm 68, David describes the most majestic king, God, freeing His captive people, and leading them home in His “train.”

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Psalm 68 talks about God as a majestic king (Psalm 68:24, 33–35). Using ancient imagery suitable for a king, translations like the ESV say that He is “leading a host of captives in your train.” A king, in ancient times, would bring home spoils of war, including the people he captured. As the king traveled, those captives would form a long line behind Him. The word “train” refers to a king’s long robe. The more majestic the king, the longer the robe. Combining these two ideas, the “captives in your train” is a highly compelling picture of God’s majesty as He leads a host of captives. In this psalm, God was not leading His enemies home but was ascending with His people whom He delivered from the enemies (Psalm 68:20). Therefore, God is said to be the glorious king who will bring His people home.

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).

UNDERSTAND

Ancient kings paraded captives in a long procession, symbolizing victory and majesty—this is the imagery used in Psalm 68:18.

God is portrayed as the victorious King who leads His delivered people—those once captive—home in triumph, not enemies, but those He has freed.

Paul applies this image to Jesus in Ephesians 4:8, showing that believers, once slaves to sin, are now the freed “captives” who belong to Christ, empowered by the spiritual gifts He gives.

REFLECT

How have you experienced God setting you free from spiritual captivity, and how has that changed your direction in life?

How does viewing yourself as part of Christ’s triumphal procession influence how you live for Him?

Are there areas in your life where you're still holding onto old chains, instead of living as someone freed and belonging to Jesus?

ENGAGE

How does the image of being “captives in God’s train” challenge or enrich our understanding of victory, freedom, and identity in Christ?

What does it mean for us, as a community of believers, to be both set free and now willingly bound to Christ in obedience?

How can we encourage one another to use the spiritual gifts God has given us, as “captives in His train,” for building up the body of Christ?