You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

pSALM 23:5

In the last part of verse five, God reveals Himself as Jehovah Rapha, the Lord who heals you. When the sheep had an injury, the shepherd would pour oil on the wound as a healing ointment. Take a look at James 5:14. “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him.” He’s our Jehovah Rapha, our Healer. Do you need healing in your body? Remember that God wants to be your Jehovah Rapha—the Lord who heals you.

Jesus Christ showed that He was the Great Physician who heals the sick. He showed Himself as Jehovah Rapha.

You Anoint My Head With Oil Many shepherds anoint their sheep with oil during different seasons of the year. This practice is meant to prevent flies from driving sheep crazy to the point of killing themselves, to prevent many forms of diseases that can come from the flies hatching in the sheep’s ears or nose, and to keep away bacteria. Once the oil is poured and rubbed onto a sheep’s head, it becomes calmer, relaxed, and begins to feed and drink.

In the Scriptures, anointing with oil is associated with the ideas of comfort, gladness, and consolation. Oil is also used to anoint someone to a specific calling. When David was anointed, he was chosen by God to be king.

The New Testament focuses us on the Holy Spirit in our lives, on His anointing us with His presence. When we come to the table of the shed blood and broken body of Christ, what we feast on at the table leads us to the anointing of the Holy Spirit that comes upon us. We are calm. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit brings us peace.

When you are easily irritated or annoyed, when things in our culture trouble you, when your enemies are upon you, remember that you have been anointed with the Holy Spirit who indwells in you. Just as the sheep start relaxing after being anointed with oil, you also can feel calm and at peace when you remember the Holy Spirit within you.

Come to the table and feast. Revel in the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Then, we’re told our cup runs over. He doesn’t just fill our cup with blessings—He overflows that cup. Ephesians 3:20 tells us that He will do exceedingly and abundantly beyond anything we can think or even know to ask. He will go beyond our desires. When you think of what the Lord does for us, our cup does overflow. Salvation includes everything we could ever possibly need or desire.

The Lord’s people feast at his table, upon the provisions of his love. Satan and wicked men are not able to destroy their comforts, while they are anointed with the Holy Spirit, and drink of the cup of salvation which is ever full. Past experience teaches believers to trust that the goodness and mercy of God will follow them all the days of their lives, and it is their desire and determination, to seek their happiness in the service of God here, and they hope to enjoy his love for ever in heaven. While here, the Lord can make any situation pleasant, by the anointing of his Spirit and the joys of his salvation. But those that would be satisfied with the blessings of his house, must keep close to the duties of it.

You spread out a table before me, provisions in the midst of attack from my enemies. You care for all my needs, anointing my head with soothing, fragrant oil, filling my cup again and again with Your grace.

(Psalm 23:5 Voice).