Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over” (Psalm 23:5). Of all the wonderful promises God gives us in the 23rd Psalm, this is one of the most glorious. He is pledging to set a table for us, spread wonderful food on it and serve us a feast. And he does it all in front of our enemies!
We all need guidance for decisions in life. Yet in a world as chaotic as ours, the word for table in this verse means “spread.” God isn’t speaking of just a little plate of food but a vast, massive feast. And it is no ordinary meal. He sets before us row upon row of heavenly delights. There is only one guest at this meal: you.
To set the atmosphere, God declares this feast a time for joy: “A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry” (Ecclesiastes 10:19). As you dine on the sumptuous foods, God anoints you with gladness: “Thou anointest my head with oil” (45:7). “God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows” (45:7).
Meanwhile, as God prepares and serves your feast, he makes your enemies sit on the outer fringe of the scene and watch everything unfold. They see the Lord himself spreading your table with food, escorting you to your seat and waiting on you. Then they watch as you fill up your soul with heaven’s delightful fare.
Your enemies are in shock. No demon power, including the devil himself, could ever comprehend this kind of love, mercy and grace. All were sure God was going to strike you down for your failures. They were ready to gloat as you fell into despair. Now they have been ordered to watch as you feast on food served by God himself.
Christ tells us the Father does this for all of his children: “Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord when he cometh shall find watching...he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them” (Luke 12:37).
Who are these enemies? In biblical terms, there are two kinds of enemies: the demonic kind and the human kind. In the 23rd Psalm, David is referring to demonic enemies. These represent the devil and all his hellish principalities and powers.
Jesus tells us, “The enemy...is the devil” (Matthew 13:39). When David speaks of his “strong enemy” in Psalm 18, he is talking about demonic hordes who hate him because of his strong walk with the Lord: “He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me” (Psalm 18:17).
Yet many of our enemies are not from hell. When Jesus tells us to “love your enemies,” he is talking about people in our life who have become tools used by Satan to make us miserable. David’s fleshly enemies caused him to cry, “Deliver me, O Lord, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me” (Psalm 143:9).
You may have only a few human enemies because you move in a small circle. You may have an abundance of them because your sphere of influence is broader. In any case, if you have set your heart to follow Jesus, you will be an offense to many, including fleshly Christians. You will also be marked as a target by the devil. He will attack you physically and spiritually and stir up trouble for you among your human enemies.
In this sense, the Lord’s supernatural feast becomes even more amazing. Both classes of enemies have to sit by and watch as the Lord serves you! On one side are the devil and his hordes, while on the other side are your earthly enemies — and all watch as the Lord pours out his oil of gladness on you.
On the demonic side, the devil rages because he thought he surely had you. On the human side, God heaps your enemies with shame. His word says of the righteous, “His enemies will I clothe with shame: but upon himself shall his crown flourish” (Psalm 132:18). As you dig into the glorious food before you, the Lord whispers in your ear, “You don’t have to worry about any of these enemies. They aren’t able to do anything against you.” “They intended evil against thee: they imagined a mischievous device, which they are not able to perform” (21:11).
You are able to sing, “Now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord” (27:6).
God spreads this table for you not just in your times of victory but especially in your times of failure.
The Puritans often used the phrase “surprised by sin.” They meant those times when you don’t expect to sin, but suddenly the enemy comes in like a flood and you are overwhelmed. Something overcomes you, an old lust or habit you thought you had conquered, and you end up falling. You grieve and sorrow over your sin, and you get down on yourself, confused and wondering, “How could I allow this to happen again?”
That’s when your accuser, Satan, pounces on you like a hungry lion. He brings to mind every biblical warning about sinning against the light, whispering, “Look at how God lifted his Spirit from all of those in Scripture who fell. You’ve sinned in the same way. You’re a phony, a hypocrite. God has removed his Spirit from your life.” Satan does everything in his power to blind you to God’s covenant promises. Satan wants to bring you back under the law, where your conscience will condemn you.
That is never what the Lord intends for any repentant heart. Just when you think you deserve God’s wrath and chastening, the Lord calls you to a feast. And as your enemies stand ready to watch you suffer under judgment, God surprises them — and you — by feeding you from his table. That is how God treats his repentant children!
But, like Adam, we want to hide from God. We think he is angry with us and that Satan has gained a foothold in our lives. In our confusion, we fall into the rut of Romans 7: “That which I hate, I did. And that which I hoped to do, I failed to carry out.” That is the very moment the Lord beckons us, “Come, sit down and taste of my mercy. I want you feasting at my table in the presence of your enemies.”
What is God’s attitude toward us when we are overtaken by sin?
Jesus answers this question in the parable of the prodigal son. The runaway young man was overcome by sin and spent all his resources on his lusts. He ended up in virtual bondage, having to eat swine’s food. He thought, “I’ve sinned so badly I can never be accepted by my father as before. Surely I have to pay for this somehow.”
The prodigal’s fears kept him from returning to his father. Yet, in truth, his father was never angry with him. That godly man simply yearned for his son’s return. Finally, when the prodigal was in the pit of despair, feeling the full impact of his failure, he thought of the abundance of his father’s house. In desperation he returned home.
What was the father’s response? He ran out to meet his son, embracing him, kissing his neck and forgiving him, with no questions asked. Scripture tells us, “The father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: and bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry” (Luke 15:22-23).
Here, in Jesus’ own words, we see the heavenly Father’s attitude toward his children. Immediately after we fail, our Lord serves us a feast and anoints us with the oil of gladness. The very moment he hears our heart cry out for forgiveness, he spreads the table before us saying, “Don’t run from me. And don’t remain in the devil’s pigpen listening to his lies about you. I love you. Come and see what I have prepared for you.”
The first blessing you will find on your plate is immediate and unconditional forgiveness. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). As soon as we repent, God ends the whole matter of our sin. He casts our transgression out of his sight completely.
Furthermore, he doesn’t want to hear any more about our sin. He says, in essence, “I’m over it. Now you get over it. Rejoice in my salvation, mercy and grace. Be glad in it all!” “Thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee” (Psalm 86:5). “Great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell” (verse 13).
Once we have accepted the Father’s forgiveness, he invites us to feast on every item on his menu: grace, mercy, kindness, tenderheartedness, compassion, unmerited love, peace, rest, joy, happiness. Fresh springs of Holy Ghost renewal sweep over our soul, and tears of rejoicing wash away all our guilt, fears and anxieties. As this incredible blessing takes place, our enemies are forced to watch, utterly defeated. Finally they whisper, “He has learned the secret. He’s trusting in God’s promises. Let’s move on.”
What does it mean to feast in the presence of our human enemies? The Lord also wants us to feast even before those people who have become tools of Satan to harass us. Maybe you are enduring a stressful situation on your job. Perhaps your coworkers have betrayed you, gossiping about you to your boss. You grieve over the cruel ways they have hurt you.
I tell you, Jesus is calling you to feast in the presence of your enemies. He is reminding you that even in the worst situation you can run to God’s covenant promise, “No weapon formed against you will prosper.” Your Father is already spreading a table for you, wanting to fill you up with his grace and compassion.
Do you feel burdened down, living one day at a time, ever fearful, never truly enjoying your walk with the Lord? Do you ever say to yourself, “I know Jesus saved me and that I’ve been changed. Why don’t I enjoy his feast? Where is my oil of gladness?”
Do not stagger at God’s promises to you. Lay hold of them; be fully persuaded that what he has promised he is able to perform. The Holy Ghost responds only to faith. He does not respond to your river of tears or your promises to do better. Only faith brings the Lord’s response. Faith moves him to action, bringing to your life his very glory.
Accept your Father’s love and forgiveness. You have a right to the feast, and no demon in hell can rob you of it. Believe God’s Word to you — and let him seat you at his heavenly table.
The Hebrew here is Shulchan a meal-table.
You Prepare
The shepherd prepares the table for the sheep
A shepherd would make scouting expeditions before the sheep ever get to the mesas, to see how the grass is growing, and which mesas will be suitable for grazing and would also check to see if there were clusters of poisonous plants
God prepares the table for us
So how has God prepared our Pasture for us? As he lets Jerimiah know in 1:12 12 Then the Lord said to me, “You have seen well, for I am watching over My word to perform it.” God makes sure that everything that He says will happen exactly as God has said it would.
The words of the Lord are pure words, Like silver tried in a furnace of earth, Purified seven times. (Psalm 12:6). As Proverbs 30:5 tells us 5 Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. And this is why we study God’s Word, and look at it carefully, all of it is true. As it says in Psalm 119:160 The sum of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous ordinances is everlasting. God has carefully prepared His Word so that it is good grazing for the sheep—perfect pasture, without anything harmful to the sheep.
Mesas are good grazing ground because, being flat, the shepherd could easily watch all of his sheep.
Jesus desires that we walk close to him. When the predator comes, when there is a day of adversity, it is always the distant sheep, the ones who like to stray, the ones who like to roam and backslide who are picked off by predators and have their faith fail. That is not what God wants for us. So, get close to the Lord, and stay close to His people. Stick together, little flock.
Like the shepherd, God prepares our path before us. Psalm 37:23 says 23 The steps of a man are established by the Lord, And He delights in his way.24 When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, Because the Lord is the One who holds his hand.
A table before me
The Israelites had challenged God. 18 As it tells us in Psalm 78 vs 18-19 And in their heart they put God to the test By asking food according to their desire. 19 Then they spoke against God; They said, “Can God prepare a table in the wilderness”? And God showed them that He could prepare a table in the wilderness—the table of Showbread in the tabernacle; the Table of the Presence of God. Placed, inside the Holy place, on the North side, just outside the Holy of Holies (Exodus 26:35), poles were attached so the table could be carried without touching it directly (Exodus 25vv. 25–28) to protect the priests.
In having such a table in the tabernacle, the Lord was demonstrating that the Israelites were to regard the tabernacle as His house.
God gave this bread back to “Aaron and his sons” who ate it in His holy presence. Eating of the bread of the Presence in God’s house signified the Lord was at peace with His people. We the priesthood of the New Covenant. 1 Peter 2:9 says But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
Just how was the table of God’s Presence, the table of Communionspread out before us under the New Covenant?
It was at the cross. At the cross was where Jesus made an eternal peacebetween the God the Father and His people, so we may dine in His presence, which is what occurs during communion, when we partake of the Lord’s Supper at His table. What do we look to when we are taking communion? (1 Cor 11:23-28)
We look to the cross, the shedding of His Blood for us and the breaking of His Body for us. We remember the pricethat was paid in order to purchase this peace, this fellowship which we get to have with God.
In the presence of my enemies
Now when you’re in the presence of your enemies, sitting down to a nice meal is not generally what you have in mind. You don’t feel hungry and food doesn’t sound good. But King David here is talking about a feast in the midst of his enemies. David is calm among his enemies because he trusts in the Lord. Psalm 27 verses 1-4 says The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread? 2 When evildoers came upon me to devour my flesh, My adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell. 3 Though a host encamp against me, My heart will not fear; Though war arise against me, In spite of this I shall be confident.
Remember Who’s table you sit at. The Lord of Hosts is our Host and Provider. And the picture here is that all of those others, the ones who choose to be the enemies of the Lord can only look on in frustration and envy. They could partake; salvation is open to anyone;
Romans 5:8But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Romans 10:9-10 9that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.
This is a powerful image of what it means to walk with God. There is nothing to fear in the “darkest valley” (Ps 23:4). We are the sheep of his pasture. He will protect us, provide for us, give us food, give us shelter, and gently correct us when we go astray.
Our inheritance from the Lord includes his “goodness and mercy” (Ps 23:6). By faith, we walk with the Lord through all the trials of life. Sadly, many Christians struggle with great fear because of their unwillingness to surrender to God their whole lives. We are not able to protect ourselves in the valley of the shadow of death. We are not able to withstand the presence of our enemies on our own. No one ever heard of a lone sheep. And “sheep without a shepherd” (Mt 9:36) are only “harassed and helpless.”
Breaking Down the Key Parts of Psalm 23:5
#1 “You prepare a table before me…”
The image here is striking. God, the Lord of the universe would serve our table. When we surrender our lives to Him, we find him able to provide more than enough for us. He is an abundant provider to those in his household, and his children “never go begging for bread” (Ps 37:25).
#2 “…in the presence of my enemies.”
Again, the image is striking. Imagine yourself at a fine table enjoying a feast. All around are all the demons of hell and the people in your life who hate you the most. And they cannot touch you. You can forget they are there because you are not called to protect yourself. You have a shepherd who has a mighty staff. You can eat in peace. We can walk out God’s purposes for us fearlessly because we fear and love the Chief Shepherd above all things.
#3 “You anoint my head with oil;”
Sheep were anointed by shepherds to keep out deadly bugs. God protects us from the things that would harm us. The image is also a reminder of the anointing oil poured over the head of the Psalmist by Samuel (1 Sam 16:13) to set him apart for the work he had called him to, as king of God’s people. Within Psalm 23 it is a part of the hospitality of God toward his people, setting them apart at his blessed table, fed and protected.
#4 “my cup overflows.”
Not only does God provide what we need. He always gives more. Because our cup overflows, we can be generous like our Father and use what he has given us to be his blessing upon other people.
psalm is known and appreciated by many, but it belongs personally only to those who call God their shepherd. It is a song of David’s confidence in God who faithfully provides for him. David pictures God as a shepherd who guides, provides, and protects (vss. 1-4), and as a dinner host who nourishes and refreshes His guest (vs. 5-6). One gets the impression that David wrote this psalm at a time when he was experiencing hardship (perhaps when he was fleeing in the wilderness from Absalom). The psalm reveals a confidence in David’s soul, no doubt the result of his relationship with God and his trust in the LORD’s goodness and loyal-love. Whatever threat David was facing, he could rely on God’s goodness and lovingkindness, and David knew the end of his life would be “in the house of the LORD forever” (vs. 6).
God as Shepherd
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. (Ps. 23:1)
David opens his psalm with a simple but profound statement, “The LORD is my shepherd.” The word LORD translates the proper name of God (Heb. יהוה YHWH), His covenant name, which means “I am who I am.” The meaning of YHWH most likely refers to God’s eternal nature, as the One who remains forever constant. When coupled with His other attributes, such as goodness and love, it means that those qualities are as enduring as the One who holds them. It is this exalted God, who created and rules over the universe, that David personally and affectionately refers to as “my shepherd.”[1]
In Israel, as in other ancient societies, a shepherd’s work was considered the lowest of all works. If a family needed a shepherd, it was always the youngest son, like David, who got this unpleasant assignment. Shepherds had to live with the sheep twenty-four hours a day, and the task of caring for them was unending. Day and night, summer and winter, in fair weather and foul, they labored to nourish, guide, and protect the sheep. Who in his right mind would choose to be a shepherd? Yet Jehovah has chosen to be our shepherd, David says. The great God of the universe has stooped to take just such care of you and me.[2]
The LORD as shepherd metaphor resonated with David, for he had spent his younger days as a shepherd for his father (1 Sam. 16:11; 17:15, 34). God used David’s life experience as a shepherd to prepare him to lead His people, Israel. Scripture states, “He also chose David His servant and took him from the sheepfolds; from the care of the ewes with suckling lambs He brought him to shepherd Jacob His people, and Israel His inheritance. So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, and guided them with his skillful hands” (Ps. 78:70-72).
In the New Testament, Jesus is the “Good Shepherd” (John 10:14), the “Great Shepherd” (Heb. 13:20), and the “Chief Shepherd” (1 Pet. 5:4), who provided teaching to those who needed spiritual nourishment (Mark 6:34). God often provides for His people through His under-shepherds, who are to feed them God’s Word (Lev. 10:11; Deut. 33:10; Ezra. 7:10; Jer. 10:21; 12:10; Mal. 2:7; John 21:15; Acts 20:28; 1 Pet. 5:1-2). God told Jeremiah, “I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will feed you on knowledge and understanding” (Jer. 3:15). God’s Word is food for the soul (1 Cor. 3:2; Heb. 5:12-14; 1 Pet. 2:2).
Trusting in God as his divine-shepherd, David knew he would not be in want of anything. God’s resources are always enough for those under His care. Of course, the believer must distinguish between wants and needs, for too often we fall into the trap of confusing the former with the latter, not being content with what the Lord provides from day to day. Scripture states, “If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content” (1 Tim. 6:8).
He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. (Ps. 23:2)
God led David to “lie down in green pastures” and beside “quiet waters” which pictures a place of nourishment, safety and rest. The words “lie down” translate the Hebrew verb רָבַץ rabats, which in the hiphil stem means that God causes His sheep to lie down in restful places. It’s not that the LORD forces His sheep to lie down, but that He creates an environment free from harm and stress so that the naturally timid sheep can relax. The believer who refuses to go where God leads will never find safe and restful places.
He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. (Ps. 23:3)
The phrase, “He restores my soul”, should probably be understood as the result of lying down in “green pastures” and being led “beside quiet waters” (vs. 2). A believer’s soul can be weakened and damaged by the stresses of life, and though we cannot always control our circumstances, we don’t have to be controlled by them either, as we can turn to God to guide us to those places that refresh us. David then states, “He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” Being guided in “paths of righteousness” means we are directed to walk where He leads, and in a way that conforms to His righteous character. The phrase “for His names sake” refers to God’s reputation. God’s guidance most often comes through His written Word, but He also guides providentially through circumstances as well as through the counsel of humble and godly people who know His Word and walk with Him. We should not make the mistake of thinking that right paths are easy paths, for the Scripture is abundantly clear that God tests the heart of His people (Ex. 16:4; Deut. 8:2; Jer. 20:12), and will permit us to face hardships in order to develop our character (Rom. 5:3-5; 2 Cor. 12:7-10; Jam. 1:2-4).
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me (Ps. 23:4).
God, who led David to “green pastures” and “beside quiet waters” was also with him in difficult places, which David calls “the valley of the shadow of death.” There were scary places where death seemed to cast its shadow over David, perhaps at those times when he was walking alone with his sheep through narrow ravines where wild animals might attack without warning. David recounted a time when he was tending his father’s sheep, and said, “When a lion or a bear came and took a lamb from the flock, I went out after him and attacked him, and rescued it from his mouth; and when he rose up against me, I seized him by his beard and struck him and killed him” (1 Sam. 17:34-35). David knew his successes and victories were from God; therefore, he could say, “I fear no evil, for You are with me.” God’s presence[3] meant David would not face anything the Lord had not foreseen or foreplanned, and this gave David confidence because he knew the Lord would guide and strengthen him for whatever he faced, even death. David also said, “Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” The rod and staff were instruments used by the shepherd for protection and travel when walking. “The shepherd’s rod (a cudgel worn at the belt) beat off attacking animals and his staff (walking stick) kept the sheep away from physical dangers such as precipices.”[4] Though enemies may be all around us, God is faithful to protect us and to keep us from wandering into dangerous places.
It is important to note that “the valley of the shadow of death” is as much God’s right path for us as the “green pastures” which lie beside “quiet waters.” That is, the Christian life is not always tranquil nor, as we say, a mountain-top experience. God gives us valleys also. It is in the valleys with their trials and dangers that we develop character.[5]
God as Host and Loyal-provider
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; my cup overflows. (Ps. 23:5)
That God would prepare a table for David to eat with Him means that God welcomed him into His presence. The picture is that of a host who lays out food for His guest to eat. The host who provides the food is also responsible for the guest’s safety while in his home. David describes God’s provision as being “in the presence of my enemies.” The word presence (Heb. נֶגֶד neged) can also be translated in sight of, in front of, or opposite to. Perhaps the idea is that God provides and protects His guest in the sight of his enemies so they know where God’s favor lies. David further states, “You have anointed my head with oil; my cup overflows.” This is a picture of God refreshing His guest with such abundance that he cannot contain it all. Such blessing includes things spiritual and material. Living in America, I regularly see Christians blessed with resources the rest of the world will never know and can only dream about. In truth, we live better than the kings of Europe did two centuries ago. We enjoy technological advances, improvements in modern medicine, mass transportation, an abundance of food resources, and many other blessings. Yet, many Christians fail to see all the Lord’s blessings and spend much of their time consumed with self and complaining like spoiled children. Not so with David, for He saw the Lord’s provision and gave thanks.
Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. (Ps. 23:6)
David has complete confidence in God and knows His “goodness and lovingkindness” will follow him. God’s goodness (Heb. טוֹב tob) carries the idea of that which is beneficial, pleasant, or favorable, and means that God will give us what we need. God’s lovingkindness (Heb. חֶסֶד chesed – often translated mercy) refers to His loyal commitment to render assistance to us when our circumstances are too great for us.[6] It is interesting to note that the word follow [Heb. רָדָף radaph] is used most commonly in the OT of someone who aggressively pursues or chases down his enemy to defeat him. Moses used the word to describe Abraham and his servants who “went in pursuit” of Chedorlaomer and his forces in order to retrieve his nephew Lot (Gen. 14:14-16), and of Pharaoh who determined to “chase after” Israel after they’d left Egypt (Ex. 14:4), and of Israel who would “chase” their enemies to defeat them (Lev. 26:7). However, David uses the verb in a unique and playful manner, picturing God as One who doggedly chases him down to overcome him with goodness and lovingkindness.
It is God who will pursue him and extend his loyal love to him every step of the way. He will not let David out of his faithful loving care. Why does this love “pursue” him? Was he trying to escape? (cf. Ps. 139:7). No matter where he went, or why, David knew that God would follow him with his love. He had been pursued often in his life; but no man chased him as persistently and effectively as the LORD.[7]
The final expression of God’s goodness and loyal love meant that David would “dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” The phrase “the house of the LORD” refers to the place where believers sought intimate fellowship with God. It was the place where God was worshipped (2 Sam. 12:20; Ps. 135:1-3), where the values of the world were excluded (Deut. 23:18), where believers brought their sacrifices (Ex. 23:19), where they enjoyed God’s beauty and meditated on His Word (Ps. 27:4), and where they enjoyed His abundant provision (Ps. 36:8). The house of the LORD is the place where the believer could enjoy God’s blessings forever (Heb. אֹרֶךְorek), which word might better be translated as long as I live (CSB) or for the rest of my life (NET).
Summary
In this psalm of confidence, David pictures God as a shepherd who guides, provides, and protects His people (vss. 1-4), and as a host who nourishes and refreshes His guest (vs. 5-6). As sheep find provision and protection in the good Shepherd, and bounty by the good Host, so believers find blessing in God as we trust His guidance and walk with Him.
Related Articles:
- Trust in the Lord
- Bible Promises that Strengthen our Faith
- Walking with God
- Learning to Live by Faith
- The Value of Suffering
[1] In the Old Testament, God is referred to as the Shepherd who leads, feeds, and protects His people (Isa. 40:11; Ps. 23:1-6; 80:1; 100:1-3; Ezek. 34:10-16). In several places believers are referred to as God’s sheep, as those under His care (Ps. 78:52; 79:13; 95:7; 100:3; Isa. 40:11; Ezek. 34:31; John 10:4, 16, 26-27).
[2] James Montgomery Boice, Psalms 1–41: An ExpositionalCommentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2005), 207–208.
[3] There are other instances in Scripture where God’s presence gave His people confidence to face difficulties. God was with Jacob (Gen. 28:15), and Moses (Ex. 3:12), and He is with us (Matt. 28:20), and for us, always (Rom. 8:31).
[4] Tom Constable, Tom Constable’s Expository Notes on the Bible (Galaxie Software, 2003), Ps 23:4.
[5] James Montgomery Boice, Psalms 1–41: An Expositional Commentary, 211.
[6] Allen P. Ross argues that goodness and lovingkindness probably form a hendiadys and translates the passages as “Surely, good loyal love will follow me” (Allen P. Ross, A Commentary on the Psalms, Vol. 1, p. 568).
[7] Allen P. Ross, A Commentary on the Psalms, Vol. 1 (Grand Rapids, Mich., Kregel Publications, 2011), 570.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
In verses 5 and 6 David changes the metaphor a bit--from the good shepherd to the gracious host. Jehovah spreads a sumptuous meal before him, a great banquet, in the presence of his enemies. This figure encompasses all the figures David has used before. That God feeds and provides, leads and protects, is all bound up in this symbol of a gracious host.
Interestingly enough, this figure grows right out of the historical situation in which David wrote. When David was driven into the wilderness by his son's rebellion, he found himself out in the desert, hungry and weary, his army in disarray. As recorded in 2 Samuel 17, three men who were not even Israelites, Shobi, Machir, and Barzillai brought bedding and bowls and articles of pottery. They also brought wheat and barley, flour and roasted grain, beans and lentils, honey and curds, sheep, and cheese from cows' milk for David and his people to eat. For they said, 'The people have become hungry and tired and thirsty in the desert'
(2 Samuel 17:28-29).
David saw in this that God, as a gracious host, was preparing a table before him in the presence of his enemies. Paul said it this way: And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus
(Philippians 4:19).
A final note is that the word follow in verse 6 literally means pursue.
David says that God's goodness and mercy shall pursue him, in contrast to his enemies' pursuit to dethrone and destroy him. David's desire was to go back to the tabernacle and to worship there. God's mercy and kindness ought to evoke the same response from us. We worship not in a tabernacle, but, as Jesus said, in spirit and in truth
(John 4:24). We worship in the inner man, where God dwells. When we see that the Good Shepherd does feed us and does lead us and does protect us, our response ought to be worship--a recognition of all that Jehovah is, a word of thanks for what He has done, and the statement, Here is more of myself for You to put to Your intended purpose.
That is true worship.
Father, You are the Good Shepherd. You are utterly trustworthy. You feed me, lead me, guard me, and protect me. I surrender myself to You in grateful worship.
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