As a priest, I’ve always deeply admired and resonated with King David’s beautiful depiction of his relationship with the Lord in Psalm 23. David, a man after God’s own heart, cherished being in the Lord’s presence, appreciating the intimate relationship he shared with God. In the beginning of this beloved psalm, he uses the metaphor of the Shepherd (God) and the lamb (David) to illustrate God’s close attention, guidance, and protection (Psalm 23:1-2).
As the Psalm progresses, David’s relationship with God deepens further. He portrays himself as not just an honored guest, but a permanent resident in God’s house. He said: “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever” (Psalm 23:5-6).
You see, in David’s time, the act of anointing a guest’s head with oil was a symbol of respect and hospitality, often done for devoted dinner guests. This oil was typically mixed with fragrances, providing refreshing and soothing comfort to weary travelers. Thus, when David says to God, “You anoint my head with oil” (Psalm 23:5), he treats himself as the Lord’s special guest, not only invited to dine at His table but also to partake in His favourable anointing.
For David, being anointed was not a fleeting involvement; he was not just a short-term visitor, entertained once and sent away. He wasn’t invited back for a meal intermittently. The joy of David was that he had been given a perpetual place at the table of the Lord’s Supper—an integral part of God’s family.
Moreover, David’s anointing with oil also signified his overwhelming joy. The Bible frequently associates oil with joy (Isaiah 61:3; Hebrews 1:9). David felt so remarkably blessed by the gracious abundance of God to the point that he described his joy as a cup at its spilling limit. Psalm 45:7 echoes this sentiment, saying, “God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.”
David’s anointing and overflowing cup were symbolic of how God’s presence revitalized him, especially in times where he faced dire challenges and threats. He envisioned himself at God’s banquet table, with his adversaries encircling him, but still feeling refueled, reenergized in the shelter of God’s presence. He resonated with Apostle Paul’s declarations in Romans 8, emphasizing that if you have God in your corner, no one and nothing can ever stand against you.
Just like David, as Christians, we, too, are invited to share in a close relationship with the Lord. We take pleasure, comfort—joy even—in God’s everpresent protection and care (John 14:23). We are invited into the eternal home of God as honored guests, with a permanent spot reserved for us at His banquet table (Isaiah 25; Matthew 22:1–14; Luke 13:29–30; Revelation 19:9; 21:2–4).
Consequently, we can also affirm, “You anoint my head with oil,” as we experience the overflowing joy Jesus Christ showers us with — the joy that becomes the strength and sustenance of our lives (John 15:11; Psalm 16:11; Nehemiah 8:10). Our relationship with God is indeed a beautiful one, just as depicted by David. And by understanding the significance of his anointing, we open the door to a deeper understanding of our own relationship with God.
Leave a Reply