Thou hast prepared a table before me against them that afflict me. Thou hast anointed my head with oil; and my chalice which inebreateth me, how goodly is it!
תַּעֲרֹ֬ךְ לְפָנַ֨י ׀ שֻׁלְחָ֗ן נֶ֥גֶד צֹרְרָ֑י דִּשַּׁ֖נְתָּ בַשֶּׁ֥מֶן רֹ֝אשִׁ֗י כּוֹסִ֥י רְוָיָֽה׃
13 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Following the time when I was guided by the rod during my youth, resembling a helpless creature, I came to understand the purpose of this guidance. You have set a feast before me, allowing me to grow beyond the nourishment of a mere infant, enabling me to partake in solid food, so that I may be fortified in the face of my adversaries.
You have set a feast in my presence. He recognizes the significance of the sacred meal. You have poured oil upon my head, which symbolizes the holy anointing. And Your cup overflows for me, indicating profound joy. Your grace will sustain me throughout my life. Those who partake in these blessings will remain in God's favor and will dwell in His house forever.
You have set before me a feast featuring living bread, which represents the Word of God, along with the holy oil that richly anoints the heads of the righteous, fortifying their spirits to diminish the oil of the wicked. This meal also includes a blessed cup of beverage, which, as implied by the Greek term kratislon, is potent, for it purifies and eradicates shame. The joy derived from this cup is indeed restorative.
You have prepared a feast for me, and a vessel for me to drink from, as if it were a sphere. These expressions clearly point to the Sacrament of Holy Communion. When we partake in the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ with sincerity and without judgment, the schemes of our spiritual adversaries who oppose us become powerless and ineffective. We partake in Holy Communion without judgment when we approach this sacred rite, first with heartfelt humility and repentance, confessing our sins and committing firmly to avoid them in the future, and second, when we come free from resentment, mending our hearts with all those who have wronged us. You have poured oil upon my head. The oil symbolizes the Sacrament of Chrismation and the Sacrament of Consecration, and by the head, we refer to our mind, which initially receives spiritual fortification through the Sacrament of Chrismation.
This truth is clear to those who have embraced the mystery and needs no further clarification. They recognize the sacred anointing oil that has been applied to their spirit, the peace that empowers rather than weakens, and the hidden nourishment that He, who has become our Bridegroom, extends to us alongside His shepherding role. As the Prophet states, "Thou hast filled me," while those who oppose me mourn and are unsettled by the transformation that has shifted them from their past enslavement.
You have set a banquet in my presence. This feast represents active virtue, prepared by Jesus Christ in opposition to those who afflict us. The oil that refreshes the mind symbolizes the reflection on creation, while the cup of God represents divine knowledge. His mercy is embodied in His Word and in God Himself; through His Incarnation, He will accompany us throughout our lives until He gathers all who are redeemed, as Paul notes. The dwelling place symbolizes the kingdom where all the saints will reside, and the length of days refers to eternal life.
You have set a banquet for me in the presence of my adversaries. The Lord affirms that not only have You, O God, conferred Your blessings upon me as previously mentioned, but You have also provided me with spiritual nourishment, represented by the ‘meal.’ This meal has been arranged before me so that my enemies may feel distress and sorrow upon witnessing it. Alternatively, this ‘banquet’ signifies the fulfillment of what my foes desire to thwart: while they seek to cause me harm, You, O Lord, seek to fill me with joy through Your meal. This ‘meal’ can also signify the joy of the future blessings prepared by God for those who love Him. It may refer to the sacred sacramental feast where the secret supper is encountered.
In the words of the Divine Maximus, we can understand ‘meal’ as the active virtue, while the ‘oil’ that anoints the head symbolizes the contemplation of divine truths. The ‘cup’ represents the knowledge of God; by nurturing our active engagement, we are also able to contemplate creation, leading us to deeper understanding of the Divine. The oil is the merciful Son, God Himself, who through His incarnation continually watches over those destined for salvation until they are gathered in. The ‘house’ signifies the kingdom of God, where all the saints are welcomed, and the ‘length of days’ refers to the gift of eternal life.
This sacred scripture describes the divine banquet as distinctly nourishing, contrasting sharply with the harmful and insubstantial fare presented by our foes—it is abundant, delightful, and richly varied, offering many life-giving tastes. This is likely what believers refer to when they say that You have prepared for us a spiritual feast, enabling us to draw strength from it as we confront our adversaries. Moreover, the sacramental meal—the body of the Lord—empowers us against fleshly passions and demonic influences, for even Satan trembles before the holy communion. The ‘oil’ here signifies the gift of the Holy Spirit, and the ‘head’ corresponds to the mind, being the recipient of this illumination. The term ‘oil’ may also refer to the sacred anointing oil used for baptism. This anointing is often primarily oil, and when addressing the head, it symbolizes the entirety of humanity. The cup that fills me serves as the strongest means of sustenance. In this context, ‘cup’ denotes the drink of the Word—the teaching of the Gospel—which uplifts and refreshes both the mind and heart, facilitating a departure from misguided earthly thoughts and empowering us for victories over our enemies, including the demonic realm. Alternatively, the cup can signify the bloodless offering that contains the life force of the Lord.
Bread and wine in the Eucharist should not be regarded simply as common elements; rather, they embody the body and blood of Christ, as attested by the Lord’s own words. Though our senses may perceive them as ordinary, let faith assure you of this profound truth. Do not judge merely by what you taste, but let your faith declare without doubt that you have received the body and blood of Christ.
David illustrates the significance of this sacrament by proclaiming, "Thou hast prepared before me a banquet to resist them that fear me" (Psalm 22:5). His message reveals that prior to Thy coming, evil spirits laid out a meal for humanity that was impure and corrupt (Malachi 1:7), filled with malevolent power. However, following Thy arrival, O Lord, “Thou hast prepared before me a meal.” When one addresses God with, “Thou hast prepared a meal before me,” it alludes to the sacred, spiritual feast that God has set for us, which stands in opposition to the forces of darkness. This is indeed fitting, for while one once joined in communion with demons, through Christ we now dine in fellowship with God.
“Thou hast anointed my head with oil” (Psalm 22:3) signifies that I have consecrated you with divine oil, marked by the seal bestowed upon you by God, so that you may become “the image of the seal, the holy place of the Lord” (Ex. 28:36). “And Thy cup shall rest upon thee, as an orb” (Psalm 22:5) notably speaks of that very cup which Jesus blessed and shared, saying, “This is my blood, which is poured out for many for the remission of sins” (Matthew 26:28).
The leader of the believers is Christ our Lord, who is aptly described as being anointed with oil, as He is untouched by the desolation of sin.
In place of the ancient offerings of sacrifice and burnt offerings, the arrival of Christ in human form and His glorified body presented to God signifies a profound sacrament for His Church, as foretold in the Scriptures (Ps 39:8) by the voice of the prophets. Through the emblems of His body and redeeming blood, and in alignment with the new covenant's teachings, we gather to remember this sacrifice during the Eucharistic meal, echoing the words of David: ‘You have prepared a meal for me, <...].’ This statement distinctly alludes to the sacred anointing and the monumental sacrifice of the Lord's Supper, wherein we are instructed through holy rites to offer our lives as spiritual, genuine, and acceptable offerings to the Almighty through His supreme High Priest.
This constitutes the seventh blessing: that God provides comfort to His chosen ones amidst tribulation, which is an inescapable aspect of life, in a marvelous manner. The essence of these words is not that God has presented His elect with a banquet of food, wine, and oil as substitutes for weapons to combat their adversaries, but rather that He offers immense solace to counter profound grief. Just as afflictions arise from foes, so too do comforts emanate from God, depicted here through the familiar imagery of a feast. This feast is adorned with the finest selections, showcasing precious ointment used to anoint the head, alongside delightful wine to refresh those who partake.
It was customary in ancient celebrations to utilize various precious oils, a practice exemplified by Mary Magdalene in her reverence for the Lord, as noted by the Evangelist Matthew (Matthew 26:7). A similar sentiment can be found in Psalm 93:19: “For the multitude of my sicknesses in my heart, Thy consolations cheer my soul." Additionally, the Apostle Paul expresses this in his second letter to the Corinthians (2 Cor. 7:4): “Filled with comfort, overflowing with joy over all our sorrows.”
This psalm is likely attributed to David during the later stages of his life, as it reflects a deep awareness of God’s gracious, paternal assistance, evoking a serene and tranquil spirit. It was initially crafted to honor the divine caregiving that David experienced amid his turmoil while expressing the unwavering, innocent faith in the Lord that permeated the psalmist's heart, fostered by numerous instances of God’s assistance and compassion. However, it quickly became embraced by the entirety of Israel, who incorporated it into their worship in a more profound spiritual way, familiar as they were with the Lord as their Shepherd and themselves as His flock.
The opening verse encapsulates the essence of the psalm: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want,” and the subsequent verses explore this concept, illustrating God’s pastoral actions as depicted in verses 2 to 5. The imagery conveys His care in selecting a fertile pasture, symbolizing provision for His people. The scripture denotes that God’s faithful followers will proclaim His deeds to future generations, declaring His righteousness through the work accomplished in the Messiah.
Further, the psalm emphasizes God's role as a King who shepherds His people, guiding them on a righteous path to nourishment and peace. He protects them even in perilous situations, leading them to flowing waters that provide rest and refreshment. The shepherd tenderly cares for His sheep, ensuring their restoration and safety under His vigilant protection.
The latter part of the theme reflects how God sustains and nurtures His faithful ones, granting them abundant blessings despite opposition. Just as a diligent shepherd guides his sheep along safe routes, God leads believers toward the joys of righteousness for His own glory and throughout their lives. In one of His parables, Christ identifies Himself as the good shepherd, with believers as His sheep, having sacrificially laid down His life for them. Furthermore, He has established a verdant pasture within His Church, nourishing us with His Holy Body.
The Last Supper of the Most Pure Body of Christ serves to dispel the demons of the adversary. The oil signifies the anointing of holy baptism, by which an individual is consecrated in both spirit and body, symbolizing the seal and sanctuary of God, granting access to the Kingdom of Heaven. The cup containing the blood of Christ holds the power to eradicate sins and promises the gift of eternal life. These elements clearly refer to the sacrament of Holy Communion. When we partake without judgment, meaning with genuine and sincere repentance for our sins, and reconcile our hearts with those we've wronged, we receive the Holy Communion of Christ’s Body and Blood; thus, the schemes of our mental adversaries remain powerless against us.
For centuries, the prophetic vision has anticipated this sacred feast for the faithful, perceiving it as a tangible reality. O wondrous proximity of the Lord to His wayward creation! The oil must be understood as the sacrament of Chrismation and the Holy Oil Consecration, with the head representing our intellect, which first receives spiritual affirmation through anointing. Without the Holy Spirit, one cannot discern the will of God. Those who have not been adorned with the grace of the Holy Spirit will not partake in the heavenly union and the spiritual banquet. Let us strive to partake of this Divine and spiritual Wine, and to find tranquility in this sober repose, thereby unlocking the Divine mysteries.
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS