Psalm 23
The psalm is probably one of the most famous and best loved of the psalms. It has brought comfort and support to many over the centuries
Story: Some years ago a famous actor was giving an after dinner speech.
He asked his audience if there was any famous poem that they would like him to recite. There was a silence.
Eventually an old vicar raised his hand and said: "Psalm 23 please."
The actor agreed, on one condition: that the
clergyman should also recite the Psalm after he had finished.
The clergyman reluctantly agreed.
The actor recited the 23rd Psalm and received a tumultuous applause.
The clergyman then recited Psalm 23 and there was not a dry eye in the place.
At the end, the actor stood up and said:
"Do you know the difference between my version of the 23rd Psalm and his?
I know the psalm but this man knows the Shepherd".
1. Introduction
Karen has been leading us in an “in depth” study of the psalm and so this week I’d like to start by standing back and taking an overview look before going to my specialist verse this evening
I think Psalm 23 divides into three blocks or aspects which I will call the three "H" ’s of Psalm 23.
These three H’s are:
1. Haven of God. Ps 23:1-3a
1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2. He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
3a He restores my soul;
2. Highway to God Ps. 23:3b-4
3b He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
4 Yea, 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.
3. Happiness with God Ps. 23:5-6
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house
of the LORD Forever.
And who said: I am the Good Shepherd Jesus of course
Jesus, the Good Shepherd provides a safe haven for us in the storms of the world around us
Jesus the Good Shepherd shows us the highway to God the Father and
Jesus the Good Shepherd is interested in our happiness.
My verse this evening – or part of a verse this evening is
“You anoint my head with oil: my cup runs over”
2 Anointing
Introduction
Anointing isn’t something we come across in everyday life in 21st Century.
But it is used in an everyday expression - the concept of “anointing one’s successor” is
For example in an article “Putin Names Medvedev His Successor” part of which read:
“Everyone understands that Putin has for all intents and purposes anointed his successor.
"We’ve got the name of the next President of the Russian Federation ...
However, the Jews steeped as they were in the Old Testament would have recognized that oil – and anointing had two very distinct uses.
2.1 Anointing as a consecration to the office of priest or king
When a King or Priest or Prophet was consecrated for a task – this was done by anointing
It was a symbolic act to show that God had chosen that person. Had set that person aside for a job
2.1.1 Anointed King
1 Samuel 10:1 (the anointing of Saul as King)
Then Samuel took the flask of oil, poured it on his head, kissed him and said:”Has not the Lord anointed you a ruler over His inheritance”
1 Ki 1:39 (Solomon anointed King)
Zadok the priest then took the horn of oil from the tent and anointed Solomon. Then they blew the trumpet, and all the people said: “Long live King Solomon”
2.1.2 Priest and Prophets
i) Priests
Ex 30:30 God speaking to Moses
And you shall anoint Aaron and his sons, and consectrate them that they may minister as priests to me
ii) Prophets
Though only mentioned once a prophet was anointed 1 Ki 19:16 (God speaking to Elijah)
And Jehu son of Nemshi you shall anoint King over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah you shall anoint as prophet in your place
Story: When I became a Priest in the Church of England – the Bishop of Norwich anointed me with oil
It was a symbolic act to show that God had chosen them.
2.1.3 The Messiah
And the culmination of an anointing for ministry was of course the Messiah
The Hebrew word for anointing is mashach from which the word Messiah is derived
The Messiah is simply “the anointed one” – called and consecrated
We see reference to the “anointed one” in the Old Testament
Ps 2:2 The Kings of the earth take their stand . And the rulers counsel together against the Lord and his anointed one
In Greek the word “Christ” Cristos is closely related to the word chrio “to anoint”
Christ is the only Messiah brooked in the New Testament – and indeed Jesus warns us to be on our guard
Then if anyone says to you “Behold here is the Christ” or “There He is” do not believe him (Mt 24:5
As Christians we are sons and daughters of God. We are as Peter puts it
“You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into his marvellous light (1 Peter 2:9)
Now our anointing is not with oil – but with
the Holy Spirit when we become Christians.
“But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things” (1 Jn 2:20)
And Paul writes in 2 Cor 1:20-21
For all the promises of God are yes and in Him Amen to the glory of God through us. Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. (! Co 1:20-22)
2.2 Anointing for healing
The other reason in the Old Testament for anointing was for healing.
The basic idea of anointing for healing was a “hygienic practice of applying oil to soften and protect the skin inn a dry climate. This would be very soothing qand refreshing. Oil was also used to protect wounds and aid their healing” (Roger Cotton “Anointing in the Old Testament)
And it is interesting to note that the word Christ (The Anointed One) Cristos has a very similar root to the word Crisma which means ointment
But then we as Christians look to Jesus for healing.
In the New Testament, in the book of James, St James says this:
“Is any 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 Lord will raise him up (Jas 5:14)
The Church of England authorizes only its priests to anoint sick people with oil for healing
The rubric of the Church’s “Laying on of Hands with Prayer and Anointing” says this;
If Anointing is administered, the minister must be authorized for this ministry as required by Canon B 37.
Conclusion
We seem to have wandered a long way for Psalm 23 and so I think it is worth bringing us back to it now.
It is the section of the Psalm I referred to as the Happiness God gives us
Ps 23:5 and 6
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house
of the LORD Forever.
And so I’d like to leave you with some thoughts, when we think about the words from Psalm 23
“You anoint my head with oil, my cup runs over”
bearing in mind
i) Oil was use for setting someone aside for something special and
ii) the healing properties associated with anointing with oil.
1. Sons and Daughters of God
Isn’t it wonderful that God has called each one of us to be sons and daughters of God. We have been set aside in Christ
What a wonderful standing we have
God is our Father
Access to God is no longer through a few chosen priests – it is open to everyone – what we call the Priesthood of all believers
He gives us more than we can dream of
2. When we are ill, we can come to God for healing
Who else has such a right. The Scripture tells us to pray for one another
And it also recommends that we continue to use the oil of anointing for healing.
This does not mean we should not go to the doctors – of course we should
I believe that the creative healing powers that doctors have developed are a refection of man being made in the image of God
We have a lot going for us – let’s be careful not to overlook it
“You anoint my head with oil, my cup runs over”
