You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil. (vs.5)
David wrote Psalm 23 when he was fleeing King Saul, which he was constantly doing for fear the king would kill him. Daily he faced the possibility of capture or death. Vigilance concerning where he traveled and on which particular rock in some cave he rested his head at night was paramount. No still waters. No green pastures. Those were a thing of David's youth. When he was the shepherd who watched his father's flocks. Even then he knew the protection and power of his God, for David had killed a bear and a lion in defense of the lambs in his care. If he, as a young man, had such a heart for his little group of ewes and rams, David knew God cared much, much more. Only his God could tell him where it was safe to hide and when it was safe for him to move around.
In verse five the scene changes. The Lord is now the host of dinner in His abode and David an honored guest. As such, the Lord has prepared a dinner of honor for David to eat and enjoy while his enemies, probably captured and in chains, watch him sup with the Lord. Finally David has received the honor due him for his trust in God. Also looks forward, I suspect, to the marriage supper of the Lamb, when Christ Himself finally receives the honor due Him. David is confident that Yahweh will come through for Him in victory as surely as He did when Goliath was felled with one smooth stone.
In the East at the time, one's head was anointed with oil for several reasons. For toilette...the Brill Creme of the ancients. For the coronation of kings. For the consecration of someone to a sacred duty. David had already been anointed with the oil of holy duty. Samuel had poured fragrant olive oil all over him to signify God's decision that David would be the next king of Israel, thus Saul's hatred of him. But in this psalm, David speaks of being anointed at a dinner in his honor. The Host pours sweet perfumed oil upon his head as a gesture of esteem. In other words, God sets a table for David in front of those who hate him, then anoints him as an honored guest, a dear friend, ...even a son.
Can you trust that because Christ esteems you, your present troubles will be resolved and you will be vindicated? Your enemies will be scattered? Your honor restored? The pieces of your heart glued back together? Remember that one day in his not too distant future, King Saul was dead and King David crowned the king of Israel. Yes, David walked through some rough times....even the valley of the shadow of death...but God was with him even in that, leading his steps right up to the prepared table of blessing and honor. Will He do less for you? We have been consecrated with the "oil" of the Holy Spirit. Set aside for sacred purpose.
Jesus said in Revelation 3:20: Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and dine with him and him with Me. Dine with Him even now, for He lives in you. That is the secret of the ages: Christ in us the hope of glory. God dwelling among man as He did in the garden at the beginning. Partake of the bread of life. Drink deeply of the endless joys of new wine. Abide in green pastures. Be still by the quiet waters. Bend to the knee as you are anointed with the fragrant oil of your salvation that calls you to a sacred, safe and serene life in Him. Your Shepherd and your Host is in charge of keeping that which He has committed to you. Fear not! You shall not want.
David wrote Psalm 23 when he was fleeing King Saul, which he was constantly doing for fear the king would kill him. Daily he faced the possibility of capture or death. Vigilance concerning where he traveled and on which particular rock in some cave he rested his head at night was paramount. No still waters. No green pastures. Those were a thing of David's youth. When he was the shepherd who watched his father's flocks. Even then he knew the protection and power of his God, for David had killed a bear and a lion in defense of the lambs in his care. If he, as a young man, had such a heart for his little group of ewes and rams, David knew God cared much, much more. Only his God could tell him where it was safe to hide and when it was safe for him to move around.
In verse five the scene changes. The Lord is now the host of dinner in His abode and David an honored guest. As such, the Lord has prepared a dinner of honor for David to eat and enjoy while his enemies, probably captured and in chains, watch him sup with the Lord. Finally David has received the honor due him for his trust in God. Also looks forward, I suspect, to the marriage supper of the Lamb, when Christ Himself finally receives the honor due Him. David is confident that Yahweh will come through for Him in victory as surely as He did when Goliath was felled with one smooth stone.
In the East at the time, one's head was anointed with oil for several reasons. For toilette...the Brill Creme of the ancients. For the coronation of kings. For the consecration of someone to a sacred duty. David had already been anointed with the oil of holy duty. Samuel had poured fragrant olive oil all over him to signify God's decision that David would be the next king of Israel, thus Saul's hatred of him. But in this psalm, David speaks of being anointed at a dinner in his honor. The Host pours sweet perfumed oil upon his head as a gesture of esteem. In other words, God sets a table for David in front of those who hate him, then anoints him as an honored guest, a dear friend, ...even a son.
Can you trust that because Christ esteems you, your present troubles will be resolved and you will be vindicated? Your enemies will be scattered? Your honor restored? The pieces of your heart glued back together? Remember that one day in his not too distant future, King Saul was dead and King David crowned the king of Israel. Yes, David walked through some rough times....even the valley of the shadow of death...but God was with him even in that, leading his steps right up to the prepared table of blessing and honor. Will He do less for you? We have been consecrated with the "oil" of the Holy Spirit. Set aside for sacred purpose.
Jesus said in Revelation 3:20: Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and dine with him and him with Me. Dine with Him even now, for He lives in you. That is the secret of the ages: Christ in us the hope of glory. God dwelling among man as He did in the garden at the beginning. Partake of the bread of life. Drink deeply of the endless joys of new wine. Abide in green pastures. Be still by the quiet waters. Bend to the knee as you are anointed with the fragrant oil of your salvation that calls you to a sacred, safe and serene life in Him. Your Shepherd and your Host is in charge of keeping that which He has committed to you. Fear not! You shall not want.
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