Discovery BoxPsalms 23:5 
Context23:5 You prepare a feast before me 1
in plain sight of my enemies.
You refresh 2 my head with oil;
my cup is completely full. 3
Psalms 31:19
Context31:19 How great is your favor, 4
which you store up for your loyal followers! 5
In plain sight of everyone you bestow it on those who take shelter 6 in you. 7
Psalms 88:8
Context88:8 You cause those who know me to keep their distance;
you make me an appalling sight to them.
I am trapped and cannot get free. 8
Psalms 146:8
Context146:8 The Lord gives sight to the blind.
The Lord lifts up all who are bent over. 9
The Lord loves the godly.
1 sn In v. 5 the metaphor switches. (It would be very odd for a sheep to have its head anointed and be served wine.) The background for the imagery is probably the royal banquet. Ancient Near Eastern texts describe such banquets in similar terms to those employed by the psalmist. (See M. L. Barre and J. S. Kselman, “New Exodus, Covenant, and Restoration in Psalm 23,” The Word of the Lord Shall Go Forth, 97-127.) The reality behind the imagery is the Lord’s favor. Through his blessings and protection he demonstrates to everyone, including dangerous enemies, that the psalmist has a special relationship with him.
2 tn The imperfect verbal form in v. 5a carries on the generalizing mood of vv. 1-4. However, in v. 5b the psalmist switches to a perfect (דִּשַּׁנְתָּ, dishanta), which may have a generalizing force as well. But then again the perfect is conspicuous here and may be present perfect in sense, indicating that the divine host typically pours oil on his head prior to seating him at the banquet table. The verb דָשַׁן (dashan; the Piel is factitive) is often translated “anoint,” but this is misleading, for it might suggest a symbolic act of initiation into royal status. One would expect the verb מָשָׁח (mashan) in this case; דָשַׁן here describes an act of hospitality extended to guests and carries the nuance “refresh.” In Prov 15:30 it stands parallel to “make happy” and refers to the effect that good news has on the inner being of its recipient.
3 tn The rare noun רְַָויָה (rÿvayah) is derived from the well-attested verb רָוָה (ravah, “be saturated, drink one’s fill”). In this context, where it describes a cup, it must mean “filled up,” but not necessarily to overflowing.
4 tn Or “How abundant are your blessings!”
5 tn Heb “for those who fear you.”
6 tn “Taking shelter” in the
7 tn Heb “you work [your favor] for the ones seeking shelter in you before the sons of men.”
8 tn Heb “[I am] confined and I cannot go out.”
