“…thou anointest my head with oil…” (Psalms 23:5b)

In Psalm 23:5b, David has brought to light the seventh verb of action by David’s Sovereign, which action was by Design: “thou anointest.”

The first thought that many have, when reading Psalm 23:5b, is the use of the anointing oil in the Old Testament. In the Book of Exodus, Moses instructed men to make up the Holy Anointing Oil and then anoint, or rub, or paint it on the item that is to be consecrated to God; such as Aaron and his sons to be the High Priest in the worship of Jehovah. The Hebrew word used in Exodus for “anoint” is “mâshach” (#4886), which means to rub with oil, or to paint.

But the word translated “anointest” in Psalm 23:5b is a different Hebrew word, “dâshên” (#1878); which means, (1) “to be fat, or regard as fat”; figuratively, it signifies abundance; having reference to the (fatty) ashes of the sacrifices.

David used this Hebrew word, “dâshên,” to show that God (Jehovah, the LORD, my Shepherd) had also planned and purposed to give David an abundance in his life. David was anointed king over Israel. (That is, he was set apart – above all others – to be king over Israel; or he was consecrated.) But that anointing, or setting apart, to be king of Israel is but one of the blessings, or rewards, that God had for David in his lifetime.

In Psalm 23:5b, David is using a metaphor of God’s fatness, or the abundance of God’s Blessings – both physical and spiritual – upon his head, or his spirit (using the oil being placed on his head as a symbol of this).

The oil was a symbol of the gladness of joy in the Old Testament (Psalm 47:5; Isaiah 61:3); as well as a sign of consecration, as when Aaron was anointed with oil, to be set aside for the High Priesthood of Israel. It also is a symbol of the Holy Spirit in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. (See Isaiah 61:1; Luke 4:18; Hebrews 1:9; 1 John 2:27.)

“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;” (Isaiah 61:1)

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,” (Luke 4:18)

Therefore, David was saying in Psalm 23:5b: Thou has given me an Abundance of the Joy of the Lord. And my Sovereign had purposed this before time ever was.

The Description of the Abundance of the Joy of the Lord:

First, He was Separated, by His (Christ’s) Choice

 “…thou anointest my head with oil…”

David knew, when he wrote Psalm 23, that God had separated him for His Purpose. David had experiences that were proof to him after Samuel, God’s Prophet and Judge of Israel, had anointed him (1 Samuel 16:12-13). David had killed a lion and a bear (1 Samuel 17:36); he had killed Goliath (1 Samuel 17:50), the arch enemy of Israel in the days of King Saul; and he slew thousands of the armies of the enemies against Israel (1 Samuel 29:5).

But David said in Psalm 23:5b, “Thou” – once again referring to the LORD, Jehovah, my Shepherd. David knew God was Sovereign. He knew that God had chosen him above all others. He knew that it was by God’s Sovereign Choice, and not on any of his merits.

So it is with the Regenerated Children of God. God blessed His Chosen, even before time ever was, with Reconciliation, Redemption in Christ, even the forgiveness of sins (Ephesians 1:4-7). He came and made Atonement for their sins on the Cross (Romans 3:24-25). And He brought them into His Fellowship, in time, in the Process of Regeneration. At the moment of Conversion, they confessed Christ to be their Substitute, Sacrifice, and Savior (Romans 10:9-10). Here they were set apart by the Work of the Holy Spirit of God. Here they learned of the separation that God had made of them from the world. Now they were believers of Jesus Christ. Now they knew they were sons and daughters of God, whereby they cry “Abba, Father” (Romans 8:14-16). They knew this separation was by God’s Choice, and His alone.

When the experience of the Anointing of God comes to a Believer at the point of Conversion (that is, the knowledge of the anointing, or the setting apart) – then he knows that he was separated by the Choice of God before time ever was. For until God’s quickening; giving repentance; drawing unto Himself to confession and conversion (John 6:63; 44-45) – he was a dead sinner going the way of his flesh.

“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; (2) Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: (3) Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.” (Ephesians 2:1-3)

Second, He was Sanctified, by the Consecration of the Oil

 “…thou anointest my head with oil…”

David was anointed by the Prophet and Judge Samuel to be the king of Israel (1 Samuel 16:12-13); which was a sign of his position as a Child of God, and to be a king.

So it is with the Regenerated Elect of God when they come to know that they have been sealed by the Holy Spirit of God. There is an internal witness of this action, whereby they cry “Abba, Father”:

“For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. (16) The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:” (Romans 8:15-16)

And they have an outward witness, in that they are led by the Spirit of God:

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” (Romans 8:14)

They walk in the Spirit, are led of the Spirit, and live in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16, 18, 24). The proof of the Regeneration of the Child of God is the Fruit; the Fruit of the Spirit is produced in them:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, (23) Meekness, temperance.” (Galatians 5:22-23a)

When consecrated by the oil (both physically and spiritually), there is a definite understanding that you have been set apart based on the Choice of God, for the Work of God.

“And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.” (1 John 5:20)

“And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.” (1 John 3:24)

When consecrated by the oil (or indwelt by the Holy Spirit), you have a definite understanding that you are not your own any longer; but you belong to God, both in body and in spirit:

“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? (20) For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

That your life is His life; and it is His Life living in and through you for a specific purpose:

“For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3:3)

With this understanding, then comes…

Third, He was Sanctioned, by the Call of God

David’s anointing by the Prophet Samuel was a private and personal ceremony between Samuel, David, Jesse (David’s father), and David’s brethren. This was his personal sign of his Consecration to God, and his Service as a Servant of God. This personal and private anointing service gave David an inner testimony of who he was to God (His Chosen) and who he was to become (King of Israel).

But the time came that the secret became public, as King Saul sinned against God and knew God had taken the kingdom from him and had given it to David (1 Samuel 13:13-14; 24:15-20). Now it was public. As this news spread, as David’s fame as a great warrior and leader spread throughout all of Israel – all knew that he would be the next king. Then, as persecution came from Saul because he was jealous of David, David had to flee and was on the run from Saul for years. But David knew who he was in God, and who God had chosen him to become in the near future. So David stayed the course and waited for the Victory of God on his behalf. David knew his Call from God; and he knew God had Sanctioned him (or had given him the Authority to walk in His Power), to become what God had Separated him unto by God’s Sovereign Choice, and to what God had Sanctified him by His Consecration with oil. And now, David knew of his Sanction by God’s Call.

So it is with the Convicted Regenerated Children of God. They know of their Separation in Christ before time, by God’s Choice, because of His good pleasure, and none of their merits.

They know of their Sanctification in Christ. Because they have an internal witness that they have been Regenerated by the Holy Spirit, and are Sealed by Him. They have an understanding that they have Eternal Life dwelling in them. And they know that they have been set apart for God and His Purpose (1 John 5:20).

They also know by His Calling (2 Timothy 1:8-10), that they are Sanctioned (they have the Authority) to be, and to become, what God had called them unto – for they have a high calling, a holy calling, a heavenly calling (Philippians 3:14; 2 Timothy 1:9; Hebrews 3:1).

From the point of conversion, throughout life’s earthly journey, until death – the Christian knows who he is in Christ, and what his purpose is (1 Peter 2:9; Acts 1:8). He knows his Authority is Christ, his Head; and that he is in the Body of Christ; and he moves in Christ’s Authority.

Then also, David knew…

Fourthly, His Service, by the Command of God

David was anointed by Israel to be king after Saul’s death (2 Samuel 5:3). David knew that now was his time on God’s Timetable of Service. David knew his mandate; and he spent 40 years as king to carry out God’s Command on his life. David loved God and God loved David. David never wavered in his service to God as King of Israel. He never quit his task, or even hinted of quitting his task. Yes, he failed God at times and sinned, but he confessed; and he never stopped serving God until his death.

So it must be, and will be, with the Regenerated Child of God. He knows his purpose; and he knows of God’s Commands:

(Matthew 22:37-40) “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. (38) This is the first and great commandment. (39) And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. (40) On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

(John 14:15) “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”

(Acts 1:8) “… ye shall be witnesses unto me… unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

The Regenerated Child of God is a monument of the Grace of God, an object of God’s Love; and he is to be God’s Witness on this earth of the Love of God, as One with Christ, obeying in the Power of His Love (John 17:21-26).

Yes, Thank You God, for “thou anointest my head with oil.”

1. Oh, the Abundance of the Joy of the Holy Ghost in us, and upon us, and through us.
2. The Abundance of the Power in us, and working through us, to carry out His Purpose on earth.
3. The Abundance of the Righteousness and Peace we have in Christ.

This devotion concludes the second major division – The Sovereign, My God – of Psalm 23. David said, “The LORD (Jehovah) is my (shows possession of Him) shepherd (or my Provider, my Protection, and my Peace; my Leader and Guide).”

The question to be answered in Part Two of this Study (The Sovereign, My God) is:

How did God become David’s Shepherd?

The answer: God is Sovereign. Therefore, it is by the Choice of God, to carry out His Eternal Purpose for David in Christ. So it is with every Elect of God in Christ.

1. God Separated the Chosen before time in Christ (Ephesians 1:4-11).
2. God Sanctified the Chosen in time, in Christ on the Cross; but manifested this to His Chosen by the Consecration of oil (or by the Regeneration Process). (See 1 Corinthians 1:30; Romans 8:14-16; Galatians 4:5-6.)
3. God Sanctioned His Chosen People by His Call to Service in Conversion (John 15:16).
4. God’s Service of His Chosen People by Command (John 14:15; Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 5:18-20):
   1. To keep His Commandments;
   2. To be His Witnesses to the uttermost parts of the world;
   3. To be Ambassadors for Christ.

Yes, Thank You God, for “thou anointest my head with oil.”

1. Oh, the Abundance of the Joy of the Holy Ghost in us, and upon us, and through us.
2. The Abundance of the Power in us, and working through us, to carry out His Purpose on earth.
3. The Abundance of the Righteousness and Peace we have in Christ.

Series Navigation

<< The Sovereign By Design: Part VIThe Supply: My Giver: Introduction >>