Week 4 - Psalm 23
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” (v5)
Psalm 23 is a beautiful declaration of God’s love and care. Goodness and mercy come not only at the end of the psalm, but run all the way through, encouraging us to be confident in God’s presence with us.
It is interesting to notice the language in the psalm. It begins in the third person: “He is my shepherd”. “He makes me lie down in green pastures”. David tells us about God. Then halfway through, it moves to the second person. David talks directly to God. “You are with me”. “You prepare a table for me”.
Something happens to us as we are with God. Something happens to us as we walk with God through green pastures and by still waters. Something happens to us as we walk through dark valleys of evil. We encounter the reality of God. We make it through with God. We are changed and strengthened by God's care and God’s presence.
As a result, we can sit at a table prepared by God and be at peace, even when our enemies are there at the table with us. We know that with Jesus, our cup overflows. We can share what we have, even in the presence of our enemies.
Of course, Jesus tells us to love our enemies. As one teacher says, “Since I love my enemies, I would not feast upon a delicious meal in their presence and let them stand there hungry. The abundance of God’s provision and safety in my life is so great, I would invite them to enjoy what God has prepared for me” (1)
On the night that he was betrayed, Jesus sat at a table with his enemy, with the one who would betray him. We often call this the Last Supper. Notice, Jesus was calm. Jesus was kind to Judas and all the others.
Unlike the famous painting of the Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci, Jesus and his disciples would have been reclining in a U-shaped formation. As the host, Jesus was seated at the top of the U. There were two places of honor, one to his right, the other to his left. John and Judas sat in the places of honor at this meal.
Commenting on this, Christopher Wright says, “So it seems… as John records it that Jesus was showing his love for Judas by giving him the honored position by his side at this last supper, offering him, even then, the opportunity to change.” (2)
Oh, the depths of God’s unfailing love.
Reflect
Read Psalm 23. What stands out to you?
Where do you find yourself in the psalm? By quiet waters? In the dark valley? In the house of the Lord?… How might God be a good shepherd to you there?
Have you ever loved your enemies? Have you ever loved people you really don’t like? How do you think you could do that?
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Dallas Willard, Life Without Lack: Living in the Fullness of Psalm 23
Christopher J.H. Wright, To the Cross: Proclaiming the Gospel from the Upper Room to Calvary
