OVERFLOW

PASTOR RYAN LADEN – DEVOTIONALS

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Today we are going to dive into the meaning of Psalm 23:5, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”

There are basically two ways to understand the meaning of this proclamation of the goodness of the Lord toward those that are his own. 

Care of the Sheep

One way to read this passage is to see it as a continuation of the loving care of the shepherd to his sheep. In this way of reading the passage we see more examples of how the Great Shepherd meets the needs of the flock in ways that show his intimate care. 

The Table – From this perspective, the image of the table can be seen as a casting out of straw or fodder before the sheep in an open and safe area. Spreading a “table” of sorts. The shepherd would then be seen standing guard over the flock as they ate. The Hebrew word used here does have this kind of use in some settings. 

Oil / Cup – There is a tradition amongst shepherds from the past to use olive oil as a balm that would help keep parasites and flies away from the eyes and nostrils of the sheep. To apply this treatment, the shepherd would literally dunk the head of the sheep in a large container of oil so that it would completely saturate the face and head. You might imagine how this would cause the “cup” to overflow as the sheep might resist having this treatment done. 

From this perspective, the Lord is seen providing care for his people even if what the Lord is doing on our behalf does not make sense to us. We might resist and splash around as God leads us, but he persists for our benefit. 

The Table of the Lord

The other perspective that most people take when reading this passage is that the focus shifts from the image of the Lord as a shepherd to the image of the table of the Lord, or the table of the king. 

The Feast – Here, the image of the King’s table springs into mind. At his table, King David regularly hosted his family, his royal court, and many others. Included in this feast were those who supported the King as well as those that the King was hoping to flip from being enemies to friends. 

Added to this image, we see the image of the feast of heaven as described by Jesus Christ in his conversation with the Centurion:

8 The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. 11 I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 

13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that moment.

In verse 11, Jesus Christ speaks of the coming day of the Lord when all will pass away, and the Lord will make all things new. He uses a familiar image to describe this day of fellowship with the Lord as he speaks of the great feast. 

So in this way, many see the image of the table and the cup as being a part of this kind of heavenly gathering around the table of God. 

Enemies – If we take this “table of the Lord” view, we are left to wonder about the idea of God providing this meal in the presence of our enemies. That is an odd detail to have to make sense of if we were to read this as a royal table motif. 

Conclusion

You are free to read this idea of the table and cup however you like. What matters most is the message that the Lord loves you and cares for you. The Lord is your shepherd who provides for you even when you fight against his provision. 

1 The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 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. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

(Psalm 23:1-6 NIV11)

In Christ, 

Ryan Laden

PASTOR RYAN LADEN

Works at MTN. CHURCH

Former Senior pastor at Warnbro Community Church

Studies at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Studied at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Studied at Baylor University

Studied at Texas Tech University

Went to Castle Hills First Baptist

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