The Shepherd Psalm - All The LORD is near Daily Devotionals for 2024

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 NKJV

The Shepherd Psalm
David, the sweet psalmist of Israel, who wrote this beautiful psalm, had many wonderful experiences while tending his father's sheep. The Spirit of God uses these incidents to illustrate spiritual lessons. The reason David gleaned such rich, practical lessons from his experiences was because he went through these experiences with the Lord. He was aware of the Lord's presence with him during all that time that he was alone in the fields of Judah, keeping his father's sheep. There he met with a bear and a lion and slew them both, rescuing the sheep. His confidence was in God.

David not only learned to know the Lord's power and protection; he also enjoyed the Lord's provision for him. Think of what is implied by a table prepared in the presence of his enemies. The Lord Himself prepares that table, telling forth His conquering love, and His people can feast upon that love. In Genesis 14:18 we see how Melchizedek brought forth bread and wine and blessed Abraham, who was returning from battle with trophies of his victory.

The head anointed with oil brings before us the Holy Spirit sent down from the Great Victor, our risen, glorified Head in heaven. From there, He now pours forth all spiritual blessings upon His people. Enjoying these blessings while feeding at His table will indeed fill the heart with joy and with praise. "My cup runs over." When a heart is so filled with Christ, it must overflow, for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks: "Every day I will bless You, and I will praise Your name forever and ever. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and His greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall praise Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts. I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty" (Ps. 145:2-5).

-- Jacob Redekop