Psalm 23 5

Psalm 23:5 kjv

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 nkjv

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.

Psalm 23:5 niv

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Psalm 23:5 esv

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Psalm 23:5 nlt

You prepare a feast for me
in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.

Psalm 23 verses

Psalm 23 5 Meaning

Psalm 23:5 reveals the Lord's active, abundant, and triumphant provision for His people. It depicts God as a gracious Host who prepares a lavish banquet for the believer, not in isolation or peace, but precisely in the face of adversaries. This divine hospitality includes not only sustenance but also special honor through anointing and an overflowing measure of blessing and joy. The verse assures the believer of God's personal attention, lavish generosity, and secure protection, transforming a potentially fearful situation into one of divine vindication and overflowing abundance.

Psalm 23 5 Context

Psalm 23 transitions profoundly from depicting God as a gentle and protective Shepherd in verses 1-4, guiding and restoring His sheep through safe pastures and dark valleys, to an equally powerful portrayal of God as a gracious Host in verses 5-6. This shift moves the setting from the open wilderness to an intimate, celebratory feast, likely indoors. The shepherd's rod and staff, signs of protection on the journey, give way to a prepared table and overflowing cup, signifying settled, abundant peace. The verse highlights that God's care is not limited to guidance away from danger but extends to lavish provision and honor within challenging circumstances, demonstrating His complete sovereignty and steadfast faithfulness to His covenant people, even when surrounded by hostility.

Psalm 23 5 Word analysis

• You prepare (עָרַךְ, `arak): This Hebrew verb means "to arrange," "to set in order," or "to lay out." It implies a deliberate, intentional, and purposeful act. God doesn't haphazardly provide; He orchestrates and makes ready a banquet specifically for the Psalmist, indicating divine foresight and active involvement.

• a table (שֻׁלְחָן, shulchan): In ancient Near Eastern culture, a table signified not just a place for food, but often a setting for fellowship, covenant-making, and significant honor. It represents a lavish feast, a time of celebration and abundance, rather than mere survival sustenance. It indicates the special relationship between host and guest.

• before me (לְנֶגְדִּי, lenegdi): Literally "in front of me," or "in my sight." This emphasizes the personal, direct, and undeniable nature of God's provision. The Psalmist is the clear recipient and beneficiary, experiencing God's favor firsthand.

• in the presence of my enemies (נֶגֶד צֹרְרָי, neged tsoreyay): This is the most striking phrase. "Naged" means directly opposite or in sight of. "Tsoreyay" (from צָר, tsar) refers to adversaries, oppressors, or those who cause distress. God prepares this table not in secret, but openly, enabling the enemies to witness the Psalmist's blessed and honored status. It is a profound act of divine defiance against hostility, vindicating the believer and rendering the enemies powerless observers of God's unwavering favor.

• You anoint (דִּשַּׁנְתָּ, dishanta): This verb in Hebrew means "to make fat," "to make rich," or "to refresh." It's often used for festive anointing. This isn't just a basic courtesy, but a lavish, perhaps ceremonial, anointing. It signifies honor, joy, refreshment, distinction, and restoration. It is a gesture of profound welcome and special regard.

• my head (רֹאשִׁי, roshi) with oil (שֶׁמֶן, shemen): Anointing the head with oil was a common practice of hospitality in the ancient world, signifying a guest's honor, refreshment, and well-being after a journey. Good oil would cleanse and moisturize. In a broader biblical sense, oil can also symbolize blessing, consecration, healing, and the Holy Spirit's presence.

• My cup (כּוֹסִי, kosi): The cup is a common metaphor for one's portion or lot in life, encompassing experiences, blessings, or even suffering (e.g., "cup of salvation," "cup of wrath"). Here, it refers to the measure of blessing and satisfaction.

• overflows (רְוָיָה, revayah): Derived from a root meaning "to be saturated," "to be drunk," or "to have plenty." This signifies abundance, fullness, and blessing beyond measure. It's not just enough, but more than enough; a lavish supply that signifies extreme prosperity, joy, and the overwhelming generosity of God.

• "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies": This phrase portrays God's power to provide, protect, and honor His servant even when actively opposed. It's a bold declaration of God's sovereign authority over all circumstances. The enemies, expecting to see defeat, instead witness divine favor and unshakeable security, transforming their ill will into impotence.

• "You anoint my head with oil": This acts as a gesture of profound welcome, honor, and affirmation from the divine Host. It speaks to a personal blessing and revitalization, implying that despite external pressures, the believer is refreshed, respected, and set apart by God. It brings joy and restoration amidst any potential sorrow.

• "My cup overflows": This culmination symbolizes the superabundant grace, joy, and peace God bestows. It depicts a life saturated with God's blessings, far exceeding needs or expectations, embodying complete satisfaction and divine generosity. It is a testament to God's lavish and unfailing provision that fills one's life to an extent that it pours out, ready to be shared.

Psalm 23 5 Bonus section

Psalm 23:5 is a climax that shifts the perspective from following God's guidance (Shepherd) to being the honored guest of God Himself (Host). This verse strongly communicates that God's protection and provision are not merely for survival but for flourishing, even under duress. It powerfully conveys God's personal intimacy with the believer and His readiness to confer honor upon them publicly. This "table" is not a retreat from enemies, but a strategic place of divine display and spiritual triumph, where God openly blesses His beloved, silencing accusers and disproving their intentions for harm. It subtly underlines a polemic against the notion that God abandons His people in their trials, asserting instead His commitment to celebrate and satisfy them completely. The imagery serves as a tangible promise of security, sufficiency, and joy for all who trust in the Lord.

Psalm 23 5 Commentary

Psalm 23:5 elevates the divine care described earlier to a magnificent display of God's triumphant hospitality. The Lord, our Shepherd, becomes our opulent Host, inviting us not merely to endure through difficulty but to thrive amidst it. The imagery of a "table prepared in the presence of my enemies" is key; it does not promise the absence of adversaries, but rather God's unwavering provision and defense while they observe. This is an act of divine vindication, a powerful testimony that despite opposition, God's chosen one is honored, secure, and blessed. The anointing signifies special honor, a fresh impartation of joy and well-being that counters any anxiety or weariness. Finally, the "overflowing cup" encapsulates the overflowing nature of God's grace – His provision is not merely sufficient but lavish, exceeding all needs and expectations, filling the believer's life with abundant joy, peace, and favor. This verse encourages confidence in God's power to turn hostile circumstances into platforms for His glorious provision and demonstration of loyalty to His own.

• Example 1 (Spiritual): When facing overwhelming temptations or accusations from the enemy of our souls, God provides the "table" of His Word and the "oil" of the Holy Spirit's comfort, allowing us to find peace and strength in His presence despite the ongoing spiritual warfare.
• Example 2 (Relational): If a believer is being slandered or falsely accused, yet continues to live righteously and experience God's blessings, the accusers are forced to witness divine favor, often to their dismay, as God openly vindicates His child.
• Example 3 (Material/Circumstantial): In times of economic hardship or chronic illness, when despair seems logical, a believer might experience unexpected provisions or renewed strength, openly testifying to God's faithful abundance that defies the odds, making others see His hand.