Christ's Triumphant Conquest

Paul quotes Psalm 68 to describe the ascension: he ascended on high, leading a host of captives.
Psalm 68 is a divine warrior psalm, and its geography matters. Yahweh comes to tear down the strongholds of Bashan - Mount Hermon, the mountain tied to the rebellion of the Watchers. Paul reads the psalm as describing the conquest of supernatural evil.
There is a real puzzle here, and it is better named than hidden. In the Old Testament the figure ascends and receives gifts. Paul has Christ giving them. Teachers who present this as a clean quotation are smoothing over something Paul's first readers would have noticed immediately.
Scripture links:
- Psalm 68:18 - ascending on high, leading captives, receiving gifts.
- Ephesians 4:8 - ascending on high, leading captives, giving gifts.
The ascension is not Jesus leaving. It is Jesus taking ground.