Contents:
Cup, in the sense of portion, has already occurred Psalm Thou preparest a table before me — Thou furnishest me with plenty and variety of provisions and comforts. In the presence of mine enemies — Who seeing, envying, and fretting at it, are not able to hinder it. Thou anointest my head with oil — Or ointment, as the Syriac and Arabic interpreters render it, namely, with aromatic ointments, which were then used in great feasts.
The sense is, Thy comforts delight my soul. My cup runneth over — Thou hast given me a very plentiful portion, signified by the cup given to the guests by the master of the feast. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary With joy he reflects that he has a shepherd, and that shepherd is Jehovah. A flock of sheep, gentle and harmless, feeding in verdant pastures, under the care of a skilful, watchful, and tender shepherd, forms an emblem of believers brought back to the Shepherd of their souls.
The greatest abundance is but a dry pasture to a wicked man, who relishes in it only what pleases the senses; but to a godly man, who by faith tastes the goodness of God in all his enjoyments, though he has but little of the world, it is a green pasture. The Lord gives quiet and contentment in the mind, whatever the lot is.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. New Living Translation You prepare a feast for. Thou preparest a table before me — Thou furnishest me with plenty and variety of provisions and comforts. In the presence of mine enemies — Who seeing.
Are we blessed with the green pastures of the ordinances, let us not think it enough to pass through them, but let us abide in them. The consolations of the Holy Spirit are the still waters by which the saints are led; the streams which flow from the Fountain of living waters.
Those only are led by the still waters of comfort, who walk in the paths of righteousness. The way of duty is the truly pleasant way. The work of righteousness in peace. In these paths we cannot walk, unless. God lead us into them, and lead us on in them. Discontent and distrust proceed from unbelief; an unsteady walk is the consequence: The valley of the shadow of death may denote the most severe and terrible affliction, or dark dispensation of providence, that the psalmist ever could come under.
Between the part of the flock on earth and that which is gone to heaven, death lies like a dark valley that must be passed in going from one to the other. But even in this there are words which lessen the terror. It is but the shadow of death: It is a valley, deep indeed, and dark, and miry; but valleys are often fruitful, and so is death itself fruitful of comforts to God's people.
It is a walk through it: Death is a king of terrors, but not to the sheep of Christ. When they come to die, God will rebuke the enemy; he will guide them with his rod, and sustain them with his staff. There is enough in the gospel to comfort the saints when dying, and underneath them are the everlasting arms.
The Lord's people feast at his table, upon the provisions of his love. Satan and wicked men are not able to destroy their comforts, while they are anointed with the Holy Spirit, and drink of the cup of salvation which is ever full. Past experience teaches believers to trust that the goodness and mercy of God will follow them all the days of their lives, and it is their desire and determination, to seek their happiness in the service of God here, and they hope to enjoy his love for ever in heaven.
While here, the Lord can make any situation pleasant, by the anointing of his Spirit and the joys of his salvation. But those that would be satisfied with the blessings of his house, must keep close to the duties of it. Barnes' Notes on the Bible Thou preparest a table - The image is now changed, though expressing the general idea which is indicated in the first verse of the psalm, "I shall not want.
The word "table" here is synonymous with "feast;" and the meaning is, "thou providest for my wants. There were numerous occasions in the life of David which would be well represented by this language, "as if" God had provided a meal for him in the very "presence" of his foes, and in spite of them.
Before me - For me. It is spread in my presence, and for me. In the presence of mine enemies - That is, in spite of them, or so that they could not prevent it. They were compelled to look on and see how God provided for him. It was manifest that this was from God; it was a proof of the divine favor; it furnished an assurance that he who had done this would never leave him to want.
The friends of God are made to triumph in the very presence of their foes. Their enemies are compelled to see how He interposes in their behalf, how He provides for them, and how He defends them.
Their final triumph in the day of judgment will be in the very presence of all their assembled enemies, for in their very presence He will pronounce the sentence which will make their eternal happiness sure, Matthew Thou anointest my head with oil - Margin, as in Hebrew, "makest fat. The expression indicates abundance. I felt this way for a long time, so I understand what it's like. But we don't have to be good enough to come to God. He wants us to come to Him just as we are, and then He will change the things about us that need to be changed as we grow in our relationship with Him.
David assured Mephibosheth, saying, "Fear not, for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father's sake, and will restore to you all the land of Saul your father [grandfather], and you shall eat at my table always. The last verse of that chapter says, "So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem, for he ate continually at the king's table, [even though] he was lame in both feet. You Are Always Welcome: This is our story as well.
The table has been prepared for us in the presence of all our enemies—all our issues and problems. The Lord welcomes us to His table and anoints our heads with oil, which symbolizes the Holy Spirit.
The custom in those days was to anoint the body with oil mixed with perfume to refresh and invigorate. In the same way, the anointing of the Holy Spirit refreshes and energizes our hearts. Another custom was the filling of the cup.
As long as the host continued to fill a guest's cup, it meant that the guest was welcome. When the Lord is your Shepherd, there is no reason for you to feel insecure, ashamed or fearful before Him. You will always be welcome at the table in the presence of God! She has authored more than books, including Battlefield of the Mind and Living Courageously Hachette. She hosts the Enjoying Everyday Life radio and TV programs, which air on hundreds of stations worldwide.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies: Pulpit Commentary Verse 5. The valley of the shadow of death may denote the most severe and terrible affliction, or dark dispensation of providence, that the psalmist ever could come under. Jehovah is no niggard host, like the Pharisee Luke 7: You Are Always Welcome: You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies: David reverts to the thought of the tranquil, happy, joyous time which God has vouchsafed to grant him.
For more information, visit www. Visit the Charisma Store to view all our specials. Help Charisma stay strong for years to come as we report on life in the Spirit. Click here to keep us strong! Please consider the following statements pertaining to comments posted by you and other visitors to our website:. This Is the No. Please follow these guidelines before commenting on our website: Please be considerate and respectful of your fellow posters. If Jesus and your mother would not approve of your writing, you should revise your comment before submitting. Use standard writing style and punctuation.
Complete sentences and proper grammar will help others understand you. Do not use profanity, obscenities, abusive language or otherwise objectionable content as determined by Charisma Media moderators, in their sole discretion. Comments should not harass, abuse or threaten another's personal safety or property, make false statements, defame or impersonate someone else. Do not question others' faith just because you disagree with them.
It adds nothing to the discussion and only causes strife. Do not question why someone comes to this website just because they disagree with you or the content of the article. Do not post personal information including phone numbers, email or mailing addresses, or credit card information belonging to you or others.
Do not include copyrighted content or other intellectual property that you do not own or have the explicit rights or lisenses to distribute. Do not post, directly or through links, viruses, misleading, malicious or off-topic content.