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Psalm 23:5
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil. My cup runs over.
3He restores my soul. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil. My cup runs over.
6Surely goodness and loving kindness shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the LORD’s house forever.
Notice
The table is set while enemies remain present, a picture of God's care that leaves room for danger as well as abundance.
Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.
What do you notice about God preparing the table while enemies are still present?
Write on thisWhat does the overflowing cup suggest to you about the host's care?
Write on thisConnect
Where else Scripture says this
12 passages readers most often link with this verse, and the thread each one shares with it.
This verse's connections, by chapterThe Bible's strongest chapter linksHover or tap a book to trace it
Ephesians 3:20Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,The overflowing cup and God's ability to exceed what believers ask or think both speak of abundance from God.
Psalm 31:19Oh how great is your goodness, which you have laid up for those who fear you, which you have worked for those who take refuge in you, before the sons of men!Both describe God's goodness shown in the presence of others, with Psalm 23 naming those present as enemies.
Psalm 92:10But you have exalted my horn like that of the wild ox. I am anointed with fresh oil.Both describe being anointed with oil as part of the care and honor received from God.
Psalm 45:7You have loved righteousness, and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows.God anoints someone with oil in both passages; Psalm 45 names it as the oil of gladness.
Psalm 16:5The LORD assigned my portion and my cup. You made my lot secure.The cup in both psalms expresses provision from God: one runs over, and the other is assigned by the LORD.
1 John 2:20You have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all have knowledge.Both speak of anointing, though Psalm 23 describes oil on the head and John connects anointing from the Holy One with knowledge.
Job 36:16Yes, he would have allured you out of distress, into a wide place, where there is no restriction. That which is set on your table would be full of fatness.Both picture God's provision as food set on a table, though Job's passage speaks of being drawn out of distress.
1 John 2:27As for you, the anointing which you received from him remains in you, and you don’t need for anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you concerning …Anointing links these passages, though Psalm 23 describes oil on the head while John describes an anointing that remains and teaches.
2 Corinthians 1:21Now he who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God,God is the one who anoints in both passages; Paul also names God as the one who establishes believers in Christ.
Isaiah 25:6In this mountain, the LORD of Armies will make all peoples a feast of choice meat, a feast of choice wines, of choice meat full of marrow, of well refined …God provides the meal in both passages, preparing a table in Psalm 23 and a feast for all peoples in Isaiah.
1 Corinthians 10:16The cup of blessing which we bless, isn’t it a sharing of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, isn’t it a sharing of the body of Christ?Both mention a cup, though Psalm 23 emphasizes overflow and Paul identifies the cup of blessing with sharing in Christ's blood.
John 10:9–10I am the door. If anyone enters in by me, he will be saved, and will go in and go out and will find pasture.The prepared table and the pasture both portray provision, though John speaks of finding pasture through entering by Jesus.
Where this verse fits
Gratitude. fear for the future. work conflict.
One step
Something small to carry out of this verse
Encouragement
The enemies have not vanished from this scene. Yet God is the host, and their presence does not keep him from preparing the table.
Now put it in your words.
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Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).