Charles Ellicott Commentary Psalms 23:5

"Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou hast anointed my head with oil; My cup runneth over." — Psalms 23:5 (ASV)

Such a sudden transition from the figure of the flock to that of a banquet is characteristic of Hebrew poetry.

Preparest—that is, spreads or furnishes, the usual phrase (Proverbs 9:2; Isaiah 21:5). (For the same figure of the hospitable host applied to God, see Job 36:16; Isaiah 25:6; and the well-known parables in the New Testament.)

In the presence of my enemies.—We must imagine the banquet spread on some secure mountain height, in sight of the baffled foe, who look on in harmless spite.

My cup runneth over.—Literally, My cup is abundant drink. Cup, in the sense of portion, has already occurred (Psalms 11:6; Psalms 16:5). The Septuagint has, "Thine intoxicating cup, how excellent it is;" Vulgate the same, but with "my" instead of "thy."