Psalm 23:5 (May 2022 Series)

Psalm 23:5

LIFE AT THE TABLE/LOOK AT GOD/The Great Host

5You spread a table for me in full view of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my drink is abundant.

Jewish Publication Society. Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures. Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society, 1985. Print.

Introduction

It has been said that “first impressions are lasting impressions.” So it is with being a host, first impressions are lasting impressions.

Whether it be a host at your home, your church, or even your job.

CIT - The Psalmist is showing another picturesque side of God, as the Great Host.

MOS – The purpose of the sermon is to allow us to view God as a host and we are the Lord’s guests as we traverse as pilgrims in this barren land of life!

“You spread a table for me in full view of my enemies...” (5a)

He is Jehovah-Nissi—The Lord, my Standard of Victory!

#1 - The Well-Set Table

“The picture may be one of cool assurance under pressure, an Old Testament equivalent of Romans 8:31–39 or 2 Corinthians 12:9f.; a witness to infinite resources in the worst of situations. But since the enemy is never taken lightly in Scripture...it more probably anticipates a victory celebration, where the enemies are present as captives; or an accession feast with defeated rivals as reluctant guests.”

Kidner, Derek. Psalms 1–72: An Introduction and Commentary. Vol. 15. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1973. Print. Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries.

While protection from enemies is still implied, it is intensified with the image of a banquet (table) that is served while the enemies look on.

Warstler, Kevin R. “Psalms.” CSB Study Bible: Notes. Ed. Edwin A. Blum and Trevin Wax. Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017. 837. Print.

• Covenant (mutual loyalty)

• Fellowship

• “Since Yahweh is the host, the presence of the psalmist’s enemies is no threat to him; he is under Yahweh’s protection and care. There may be a tone of derision, as the psalmist taunts his enemies by reminding them that they cannot harm him.”

Bratcher, Robert G., and William David Reyburn. A Translator’s Handbook on the Book of Psalms. New York: United Bible Societies, 1991. Print. UBS Handbook Series.

“Keep in mind there is not just a table for us, but there is a PREPARED table, God has actually prepared a table.

PREPARED - which means God set it up in advance - ahead of time - it is like having a reservation in a restaurant.

When you make a reservation and you show up at a restaurant, what happens is they have your name on a list, and they have your table already set because they were expecting you there.

There are spaces and places that God is going to cause you to show up in because he has already prepared the table.

Don’t fret about the places that you’ve been because our sovereign God has established some things for where you are going. God is married to your destiny, & not your history.

There is a prepared table for you, your name is on the list, just show up, and enjoy what God has in store for you.” (Pastor Quentin Mumphery, Founder of New Hope, Chicago)

“...You anoint my head with oil...” (5b)

He is Jehovah-InKaddesh— The Lord, my Holiness, my Sanctification!

#2 - The Festive Oil

-In Jewish society oil was a symbol for rejoicing

Warstler, Kevin R. “Psalms.” CSB Study Bible: Notes. Ed. Edwin A. Blum and Trevin Wax. Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017. 837. Print.

• The Host not only prepares the feast for His guests, but He prepares the guests for the feast!

“10 But my horn shalt thou exalt like the horn of [wild ox]: I shall be anointed with fresh oil.” (Psalm 92:10)

The oil was…

- the symbol of gladness

-In biblical times domestic oil was prepared from olives. The extraction of oil from olives is abundantly confirmed by archaeological findings of stone presses found at several sites in Palestine. This oil, called “beaten oil,” was lighter and considered the best oil. After the beaten oil was extracted, another grade of oil was produced by heating the pulp and pressing it again.

Mariottini, Claude F. “Oil.” Ed. Chad Brand et al. Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary 2003 : 1214. Print.

Beaten Oil - Highest grade of olive oil produced by crushing ripe olives in a mortar. The second grade of oil was produced by pressing the olives. The third grade of oil was produced by further crushing and pressing the pulp.

Brand, Chad et al., eds. “Beaten Oil.” Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary 2003 : 178. Print.

- The Practice of Anointing. As a religious act, anointing was meant to endow the anointed one with the quality of the deity involved.

-The same practice was used to set objects apart for special divine use and for consecration.

Culver, Robert D. “Anoint, Anointed.” Baker encyclopedia of the Bible 1988 : 116. Print.

“...my cup runneth over” “…my drink is abundant.” (5c)

He is Jehovah-Manah—The Lord my Portion!

#3 - The Overflowing Cup

Some people’s cups never run over. They never overflow.

Some never run over because they take them to the wrong source

Some never run over because they are so jealous and envious of others that they miss their own blessings!

“my drink is abundant.”

“you give me all I can drink.”

Why do the Saints’ cups overflow? Why do our cups run over? Why are our cups overflowing with abundance?

Because in Christ, we have all we need and more!

In Him we have abundant life!

Unto Him who is able to do exceedingly…

Unto Him who is able to keep you from falling…

Bratcher, Robert G., and William David Reyburn. A Translator’s Handbook on the Book of Psalms. New York: United Bible Societies, 1991. Print. UBS Handbook Series.

CONCLUSION

-God is not only the GREAT HOST on this side; God will be our GRACIOUS HOST on the other side!