the song of the shepherd (5)

 I’ve lived most of my life in rural communities within Ayrshire, Argyll and East Renfrewshire. However, for a three year period we lived and worked in the city of Nottingham with its typical urban landscape. After several months of living there I recall heading out of the city with our family for a day trip into the country. I was struck by the once familiar sights and sounds. What I most remember was looking out on flocks of sheep with their lambs in the surrounding fields and thinking how long it had been since I had witnessed this idyllic scene. 

Over the last four weeks we have focused on the pastoral landscape of Psalm 23, briefly reflecting on the provision, rest, guidance and protection of our Good Shepherd. 

Today we leave the world of the Shepherd and his sheep to focus on the word picture of the Lord as Host and we his guests. David says,

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows” (verse 5). 

In the world in which Psalm 23 was set, to eat and drink at someone’s table created a strong bond of friendship. It could also be the final act in a covenant agreement between two people. That was certainly the case in Exodus 24 with the elders of Israel. Moses prepared an altar, read the book of the covenant and the people pledged their allegiance to God. And then in verse 11 we read that the elders of Israel, “saw God, and they ate and drank.” The Gospel writers capture that same truth when they record Jesus announcing at the Last Supper, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood…” (Matthew 26:28).

The imagery of the Lord as the Gracious Host to his people is an integral part of the whole biblical panorama, from the symbolism of Joseph as the provider of food (Genesis 43:34) to the miracle of the feeding of the 5000 and the parables the great banquet and the marriage feast of the Bridegroom in the book of Revelation (see Luke 14:15-24; Matthew 22:1-14; Revelation 19:9).

Returning to David’s words in Psalm 23 we find there a picture of calm assurance under pressure. Nothing is hurried, there’s no confusion, no disturbance, the enemy is at the door and yet the Lord prepares a table, and the believer sits down as if everything was peaceful. In many ways it points to the great and famous verses in Romans 8:31-39, that concludes, “nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” 

David and Paul remind us this week that we have infinite resources in Christ for even the worst of situations. “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows” (Psalm 23:5).

(picture - near Lochinver)