You Prepare a Table Before Me

Psalms 23:5 ESV
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”

David confesses in the previous verses that God is his Shepherd, his Provider and his Protector. In verse five, David makes a bold statement about being a guest at God’s table. As a guest at God’s table, God is the Host. In biblical times the host would serve as the protector for his guests in case of an attack by an enemy.

God prepares a dinner in David’s honor and on looking is David’s enemies. They see him, but they also see that God is the Host and protector and there is nothing that they can do to David. So, David takes his pleasure and eats in peace. After the meal, God honors David by anointing him with oil, which at times was a blessing of the host and David’s enemies are there to see the anointing.

David finishes by saying that his cup overflows. Some commentaries suggest that this is abundance in blessings, his cup is never empty, God fills it up to overflowing. Put yourself in David’s imagery, where God is the Host and you are the guest. You have no reason to fear, even though your enemy is outside the door, God is you vindicator. He provides you with peace, He anoints you for your life long tasks and He fills up your cup with blessings. So many blessings that your cup is overflowing.

Prayer:
Lord, “fill my cup Lord, I lift it up Lord, come and quench this thirsting of my soul…” Lord I sit at Your table in peace with the comfort in knowing you are my provider and protector. In Your name Lord, Amen!