Israel’s history in this psalm of the Ascension begins with praise to God. Then, it recounts how they followed Him through the wilderness into the land of Canaan. Then Jerusalem is taken captive. “Thou ascended on high…” It was then He led captivity captive and received. He captured those who had captured them. God had led His people all the way from being captives to the time and place the ark was brought from the house of Obed-Edom to Mt. Zion, as the “search for a resting place, was finally found for the ark [Num. 10:35]. God led them from Egypt to Mt. Sinai, where the word from the Lord resulted in the ark being built, and a resting place was sought. Then He led them in victory over the Canaanites [Ju. 4-5]. As the psalm progresses, they are reminded that God led them in victory over the Jebusites and Philistines. In conclusion, God leads to a final victory when the universal kingdom is finally established.
The whole journey of Israel’s history is a testimony that God led His people, defended His people, and protected His people like sheep who belong to Him and like a beautiful dove to Him. This psalm is like a procession of God’s people as a community, singing, worshiping, looking back with thanksgiving, and looking ahead in faith. To Him, Mt. Zion is the highest place of importance because it is where He dwells with His people. His chariots of protection are impervious to the attacks of mere men. He has triumphed. He protects and defends the lonely and the disadvantaged, like widows and orphans who were a result of war.
When our Lord Jesus was here, He fought the greatest battle ever fought when He was on the cross. Not only did He defeat sin by dying sinless by His using His own key of life and death, but He defeated death by rising from among the dead. He defeated principalities and powers when He ascended into heaven with the evidence of His victory. His own blood has been shed for the remission of our sins, and He has entered heaven with His own blood and appears in the presence of God for us. The sacrifice for sins has been made forever, and He sits at the right hand of God as the Great Victor. The world will know He is the King when He appears again in His glory.
In His accomplished work for us, He conquered those who had conquered us. His ascension fulfilled the proof that His kingdom is forevermore. He dealt with the enemies of His people when He died and will remove those enemies when His victory march takes Him through the eastern gate of Jerusalem to Mt. Zion, where He will be enthroned. In Holiness and righteousness, His kingdom will fulfill the promises made so long ago to Israel and all the world's nations.
The early church knew this psalm foreshadowed Christ's resurrection, ascension, and authority over His people. The final act will be like a procession in which God’s people move like an army from the pages of history to the glorious reign of the glorious King. Faith finds joy in promises yet to be fulfilled because we know God’s promises and words are sure and steadfast. When we live in faith, we can overcome evil. The consequences of sin are not feared by those free in Christ. Awe, humility, gratitude, and praise bring us to our knees in thankfulness for the majesty and power of God. When the presence of our victorious King and Lord occurs in Mt. Zion in the midst of His people, He gives “strength and power” – what blessings! And we can experience some of that now because of “Victory in Jesus.”