(Section 5) Thou Prepares A Table Before Me. Series

XV. THOU PREPAREST A TABLE BEFORE ME IN THE PRESENCE OF MINE ENEMIES

A. Usually when a soldier is in the presence of his enemies, if he eats at all it is a quick bite and then back to the battle. (Robert McKenzie)

1. M.R.E. = carry them with you ready to eat while on the run.

2. Usually cold and not too tasty.

B. The word "prepare" means to set up, to set in a row, to set in order.

1. Repeatedly. The word “preparest” is continuous action. (Elmer Towns)

2. Continuously. The Lord prepares food more than once.

3. Daily. The Lord prepares food daily because we get hungry daily.

Matthew 6:11 “Give us this day our daily bread.”

C. David indicates the rich provision which the Lord makes for His children. He feeds them on heavenly dainties as they travel through this world. They have sources of joy that the world does not have. They feed on the Living Bread, and drink the Living Water, and their hearts are satisfied. (A Dictionary Of Bible Types)

D. "Thou preparest a table," just like any ordinary peaceful occasion. (Robert McKenzie)

1. Nothing is hurried, there is no confusion, no disturbance.

2. The enemy is at the door, and yet God prepares a table, and the believer sits down and eats as if everything were in perfect peace.

3. David reminds us here of the peace which God gives to his people, even in the midst of the most trying circumstances!

4. Spiritually the table speaks of fellowship and communion... that is not broken due to circumstances, no matter how difficult.

Thou preparest a table The image is now changed, though expressing the general idea which is indicated in the first verse of the psalm, “I shall not want.” The evidence or proof of this in the previous verses is, that God was a shepherd, and would provide for him as a shepherd does for his flock; the evidence here is that God had provided a table, or a feast, for him in the very presence of his enemies, and had filled his cup with joy. The word “table” here is synonymous with “feast;” and the meaning is, “thou providest for my wants.” There “may” be an allusion here to some particular period of the life of the psalmist, when he was in want, and when he perhaps felt an apprehension that he would perish, and when God had unexpectedly provided for his wants; but it is impossible now to determine to what occasion he thus refers. There were numerous occasions in the life of David which would be well represented by this language, “as if” God had provided a meal for him in the very “presence” of his foes, and in SPITE of them. (Barnes’ Notes)

E. WHEN THE TABLE IS SPREAD (Elmer Towns)

1. You have just come back from straying.

2. You have just come from a dark valley.

3. You have just escaped death shadows.

F. Before me For me. It is spread in my presence, and FOR me. (Barnes’ Notes)

G. In The Presence Of Mine Enemies (Elmer Towns)

1. For God. To show your enemies God’s care and provision.

2. For you. To celebrate your deliverance, i.e., V.J. DAY.

3. For your enemies. To demonstrate God’s power.

4. For your peace. They can see you but cannot touch you.

5. For your testimonies. Your table tells others they can have one.

6. The word enemies is plural, remember you have more than one.

In the presence of mine enemies That is, in spite of them, or so that they could not prevent it. They were compelled to look on and see how God provided for him. It was manifest that this was from God; it was a proof of the divine favor; it furnished an assurance that he who had done this would never leave him to want. The friends of God are made to triumph in the very presence of their foes. Their enemies are compelled to see how He interposes in their behalf, how He provides for them, and how He defends them. Their final triumph in the day of judgment will be in the very

presence of all their assembled enemies, for in their very presence He will pronounce the sentence which will make their eternal happiness sure, (Barnes’ Notes)

That God had prepared a table before him (David) in the very presence of his enemies, or that he had abundantly led for him in their very sight, when they were endeavoring to destroy him — thus giving him the assurance that God never would leave him, (Barnes’ Notes)

XVI. THOU ANOINTEST MY HEAD WITH OIL

A. Anoint --> This act was a picture of that which happens to a believer who gives himself wholly and without reserve to the service of the Lord. The oil represents the Holy Spirit; the priest who applies it represents either the Father or the Lord Jesus. The believer who yields himself to God a living and willing sacrifice becomes Spirit-filled, Spirit-led, and has the unction of the Spirit upon him.