Fall is settling in. The nights are becoming cool, the air feels crisp. One by one, leaves are beginning to turn color and float to their resting place on the ground. I’m thinking about pumpkins and warm cinnamon spiced apple cider. This year, our east coast family will be joining us for Thanksgiving. My heart swells with the thought of having all my children and grandchildren together under one roof. Of course, this means I will be planning and preparing what I hope will be a safe, restful place where we can relax and enjoy one another along with some delicious food. The cloth napkins will be ironed, the table set just so, the rooms made ready for those visiting. As we gather together, our hearts will be united in our thanksgiving to God for His grace in our lives. My cup overflows.
Ps 23:5 Thou dost prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; Thou hast anointed my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Prepare <arak> to set in a row, arrange, put in order, direct, handle, prepare
When we speak of preparing something, we are getting something ready for a particular purpose. We may prepare for a visit by packing, we may prepare food to eat. We prepare for things all day long as we follow schedules or anticipate events. When you consider the act of preparation, usually you have something or someone in mind. Even the simple act of preparing for the day ahead involves thinking about the activities you may be involved in, what clothing you might need and where you should be at what time.
I have often forgotten to bring something with me or have picked up just what I need at the store except one item! Even with a list, I can fall short of preparing things the exact way I imagined. I’ve taken a wrong turn in following directions and then even in all my good intentions, I can run out of time and find myself late for whatever I was supposed to be ready for. In Psalm 23:5, David tells us that God prepares a table before him in the presence of his enemies. Consider the character of God – He is perfect. There will be nothing forgotten or left out. God’s provision is perfect even in the midst of others seeking to destroy David.
This conveys a picture of calm in the midst of a storm. All around may be adversity yet we can have peace and confidence in God’s perfect security, and His preparation for His children. We don’t have people waiting to harm us as the Psalmist did, but we do have distractions. Even in the things that threaten to break our peace, we can know that God is aware of all things and in Him there is rest. God’s preparation is always perfect, affording us what is needed, blessing us according to His bountiful grace.
Adam Clarke’s Commentary says this about the beginning of Psalm 23:5 – “Here the second allegory begins. A magnificent banquet is provided by a most liberal and benevolent host; who has not only the bounty to feed me, but power to protect me; and, though surrounded by enemies, I sit down to this table with confidence, knowing that I shall feast in perfect security.”
Consider. Where do your blessings come from? Where does your help come from? When have you experienced ‘calm’ in the midst of a storm? Who is responsible for the peace you can have when things are difficult?
2Th 3:16 Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance. The Lord be with you all!
Php 4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
God’s children are blessed with His extraordinary kindness. He not only provides food, but a feast, a most sumptuous feast, with great care and order, set before His children. (cf Patrick/Lowth/Whitby/Lowman Commentary)
Ps 22:26 The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek Him will praise the LORD. Let your heart live forever!
Ps 31:19 How great is Thy goodness, Which Thou hast stored up for those who fear Thee, Which Thou hast wrought for those who take refuge in Thee, before the sons of men!
Joh 10:9 "I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
“Oh! The peace which Jehovah gives to his people, even in the midst of the most trying circumstances!” Treasury of David
Ps 23:5 Thou dost prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; Thou hast anointed my head with oil; my cup overflows.
We need to look back at the custom of the day to understand better the meaning of anointing someone with oil. A distinguished guest at a feast would have perfumed oil poured on their head. “In the East the people frequently anoint their visitors with some very fragrant perfume; and give them a cup or glass of some choice wine, which they are careful to fill till it runs over. The first was designed to show their love and respect; the latter to imply that while they remained there, they should have an abundance of everything. To something of this kind the psalmist probably alludes in this passage.” Samuel Burder, TOD. Remember the account in the Gospels, of the woman who poured oil on Jesus’s head. She was doing what was customary and had been neglected. This was a picture of her placing honor on Jesus and believing in Him.
Mt 26:6-7 Now when Jesus was in Bethany, at the home of Simon the leper, 7 a woman came to Him with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume, and she poured it upon His head as He reclined [at the table.]
Perhaps the picture for us is the anointing of the Holy Spirit within our lives as God’s children. Each day and in every circumstance we can be refreshed in the presence of God. His grace is available to us, we need only to stop and be filled. One commentary said that anointing oil was the symbol of gladness.
“Thou anointest my head with oil. Thou hast not confined thy bounty merely to the necessaries of life, but thou hast supplied me also with its luxuries.” In A plain Explanation of Difficult Passages in the Psalms, 1831.
“…the precious perfumed oil of thy grace which thou dost mysteriously pour upon our souls” Jean Baptiste Massillon, 1663-1742, TOD
Joh 14:26 "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.
1Jo 2:27 And as for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him.
The last part of Psalm 23:5 reads “My cup overflows”. We will never run out of God’s provision. His protection, His peace and calm even in the midst of difficulty, and His loving care for us is readily available to all who love Him. And His provisions are more than enough, overflowing in their bounty.
Ps 23:5 Thou dost prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; Thou hast anointed my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Something that overflows signifies a surplus. Do you see the blessings of God flooding your life? Do you take the time to recognize His outpouring of love upon you?
Ps 16:5 The LORD is the portion of my inheritance and my cup; Thou dost support my lot.
Our Psalmist recognized God’s overabundance of blessings in his life. Even while his enemies planned evil against him, they found themselves looking on, perhaps in envy, at the least in amazement, at the supply of God’s blessings in David’s life. We have a picture of reliance on God for His blessings and trusting in Him through difficulties and dangers.
The truths in Psalm 23:5 should provoke a response from us. Read the verse again.
Ps 23:5 Thou dost prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; Thou hast anointed my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Ps 116:12-13 What shall I render to the LORD For all His benefits toward me? 13 I shall lift up the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.
Eph 3:20-21 Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21 to Him [be] the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.
Thank you God for Your abundant care in all circumstances; thank you God for the gift of Your Holy Spirit and Your guidance; thank you God for the numerous and overflowing blessings poured out upon Your children. It is for God’s glory that we call upon His name as we recognize His abundant blessings in our lives. It is for God’s glory that we rely upon His provision in the midst of all circumstances as we expectantly wait on His plan. It is for God’s glory that others see His work in our lives in the hope that they also repent and seek righteousness through Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son.
