Psalm 23:5 Sit at God's Table

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. 

You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Psalm 23:5

This is my favorite verse in Psalm 23. Why? Because it reveals God's grace and loving care, and it doesn't depend on me or on my choices.

God is faithful and true to His character, whether we are faithful or not. Even in our disobedience, God is with us and cares for us.

David knows a lot about enemies, even though he is young. He serves King Saul who is plagued by evil spirits and, quite often, Saul turns against him and attacks him. As David gets older, he leads King Saul's armies out to face Israel's fierce enemies and defeats them. 

Through it all, David relies on God. He doesn't assume God will give him earthly victory, but he knows God is there to sustain him and to provide protection for him. 


You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. 
What a comforting picture, especially when we feel like we are surrounded by enemies. He prepares a table - a table where we can sit and catch our breaths for a bit. 
A table full of the food of Scripture to sustain us. A table with the cooling, refreshing water of His presence to encourage us.  

You anoint my head with oil.
Oil symbolizes richness, honor; it shows how much the anointer cherishes the person he anoints. 
God Himself anoints David. 
God Himself anoints us as we sit at His table. He expresses how cherished we are to Him. Though we might be surrounded by enemies, He anoints us with the richness of His strength, courage, and the assurance of certain victory in Christ. 

My [David's] cup overflows.
David could make no greater statement of faith and gratitude to his Lord. 
How often do I praise God for His goodness in the midst of my enemies?
Even in difficult circumstances, our cups overflow with God's love, sustaining power, and strength. When we are exhausted, we are refreshed and restored by His presence. 

What tender care the Father bestows on us in our time of need. Often we're too focused on the need to see how much He cherishes us. A deep love that led Jesus to the cross and anoints us with His presence every day.

How has God fed you at His table in difficult times? 

Dark Valley: Psalm 23:4

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, 

I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod 

and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4

Dark valleys. We all walk through them. Sadness, fear, pain, anger... 

Many commentators believe David wrote this psalm when he was young, perhaps when he was Saul's companion. How could a young man know about dark valleys?

David drew on his experience as a shepherd to proclaim the faithfulness of God.  Even though he was young, David had faced dangers out in the fields with herds of sheep. When he stood before Goliath, he was confident that God was with him because he'd experienced God's presence when lions and bears attacked his flock of sheep.

When our lives are attacked from the outside, we, too, can trust in God's presence. Our dreams might be attacked by divorce, illness, or loss of a job. When these things happen, fear and anger can attack our hearts. We can stand as David did by the assurance in God's presence in the past and choosing to be confident in the present. 

David relied on the comfort of God's rod and staff. This seems odd to us because we think of a rod as an instrument of punishment. David knew that the rod and staff were actually instruments of protection and guidance. How many times had he rescued his sheep from a dangerous situation with the crook of his staff? How often had he blocked the sheep's path with his rod when they headed in the wrong direction and had forced them back onto the safe path?

We, also, can rely on God's guidance. Sometimes we are aware of when He rescues us from the danger of a wrong choice; often, we aren't. Perhaps we sense when God blocks our path if we head down the easy way of compromise or ungodly pleasure; sometimes we don't. Regardless, we are assured of His love and care for us. We know He guides and protects us if we choose to accept them. 

David described his relationship with God: 

• Complete confidence 
• Reliance on Him 
• Security in His presence 
• Rest in His guidance 
• Comfort in His sovereignty

Do we describe our relationships with God in the same way? We, too, can walk in confidence, reliance, security, rest, and comfort, if we choose to trust Him.  

When have you stepped into danger or followed a risky path? How did God protect you?

Please share your thoughts!