Psalms 23:5. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:
See what cool, calm courage David here displays. Usually, when a warrior is in the presence of his enemies, he just eats a bit of bread, or something that he can swallow while getting ready for the fight that is impending. But David took matters much more quietly than that. Though his enemies were all around him, there was a table prepared for him, that is to say, there was everything ready for a feast, just as if it had been a holiday instead of the day of battle. "Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies." You may grin or howl, you devils, you may do what you like; but the true believer takes no notice of you. His table is being prepared by his God while you, armed to the teeth, are seeking to slay him. What a contrast there is between the rage of the believer’s enemies and the quiet, calm confidence of the man himself!
Psalms 23:5. Thou anointest my head with oil;
A sweet savour shall be upon the man who is thus anointed by his God.
Psalms 23:5. My cup runneth over.
"I have more than I expected, - more than I ever asked for, - more than I desired, - more than I am capable of holding; ‘My cup runneth over.’" If ever your cup does thus run over, be sure to call your poor neighbours in to catch the overflowing mercy. If ever you have more blessing than you can hold, ask some other Christian to share it with you. Recollect what Peter and his companions did when, at Christ’s command, they let down the net, and caught more fish than their net could hold without breaking: they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. "What! Come and help them fish? Oh, no; come and help them share the fish! Many persons say, "You are kindly invited to come to such-and-such a meeting," because they want to get something out of you; but it is a better kind of invitation when you are asked because there is something to be given away, and those who have an overflowing cup want you to share the blessing with them.
Psalms 23:5. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:
See what cool, calm courage David here displays. Usually, when a warrior is in the presence of his enemies, he just eats a bit of bread, or something that he can swallow while getting ready for the fight that is impending. But David took matters much more quietly than that. Though his enemies were all around him, there was a table prepared for him, that is to say, there was everything ready for a feast, just as if it had been a holiday instead of the day of battle. "Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies." You may grin or howl, you devils, you may do what you like; but the true believer takes no notice of you. His table is being prepared by his God while you, armed to the teeth, are seeking to slay him. What a contrast there is between the rage of the believer’s enemies and the quiet, calm confidence of the man himself!
Psalms 23:5. Thou anointest my head with oil;
A sweet savour shall be upon the man who is thus anointed by his God.
Psalms 23:5. My cup runneth over.
"I have more than I expected, - more than I ever asked for, - more than I desired, - more than I am capable of holding; ‘My cup runneth over.’" If ever your cup does thus run over, be sure to call your poor neighbours in to catch the overflowing mercy. If ever you have more blessing than you can hold, ask some other Christian to share it with you. Recollect what Peter and his companions did when, at Christ’s command, they let down the net, and caught more fish than their net could hold without breaking: they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. "What! Come and help them fish? Oh, no; come and help them share the fish! Many persons say, "You are kindly invited to come to such-and-such a meeting," because they want to get something out of you; but it is a better kind of invitation when you are asked because there is something to be given away, and those who have an overflowing cup want you to share the blessing with them.