David often wrote songs that depict the many visions he had of Yahweh. Virtually all of them contain some element of God's absolute superiority and control over both the human family and the unseen world. Here is one example: "Sing praises to God, sing praises to His name; lift up a song to Him who rides through the desert, His name is the Lord....You ascended on high leading a host of captives in your train, and receiving gift from men." Psalm 68:4,18 ESV
All of this Psalm is about the actions of Yahweh and like most of David's Psalms, it contains a military emphasis on how God conquers those who think they have the upper hand. David affirms that to never be the case. He wrote, "The chariots of God are tens of thousands and thousands of thousands; the Lord has come from Sinai to His sanctuary", which relates back to the time of Moses when he met God on that mountain to receive the Law.
But, this Psalm is actually about Jesus, what He would do. Paul quotes Psalm 68:18 at Ephesians 4:8 and applies David's vision to Jesus. He does make a minor revision saying when Jesus ascended on high, He "gave gifts to men". As the one to whom the Father has given all authority in heaven and earth (Matthew 28:18) Jesus Christ now reigns as Lord. This is the message of the book of Revelation.
Paul knew David's vision was about Jesus because Jesus told him the He had descended into the unseen world and after His resurrection ascended back to the Father. We cant actually know if Paul had some kind of vision that is comparable to what David saw in his own mind, but whatever David envisioned, Jesus accomplished.
Today we, all Christians, serve a Master and King who has been enthroned in heaven at the Father's right hand and eagerly await His coming to take us there too. Maybe David saw what I see by faith. I certainly love how he ended his vision, "You are awesome, O God, in your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to His people. Praise be to God." Psalm 68:35 HALLELUJAH!
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