A Psalm of David.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows (Psalm 23:5).
Imagine yourself and your family sitting at a long table filled, not only with food, but also with all the good things of life. The one who is preparing the table and setting everything before you is the Almighty God, Creator of the universe! That’s the image the psalmist conjures up for us, the enormous generosity of God.
In the picture, the enemies are present but rendered no longer a threat by this unimaginable generosity. The anointing of someone’s head with oil is reserved for the most honored guests, which include the psalmist in this picture, but we are there also. Finally, the cup that overflows should remind us that we have more blessings than our cups can hold, and our response in generosity would be to help those whose cups are nearly empty.
Questions for Reflection:
- When have you felt overwhelmed by God’s generosity, and how have you responded?
- When your cup overflows, are you more apt to share or to get a bigger cup?
- Can you remember being around someone who had much less than you, and yet their happiness with life made you wish you had something they possessed?
