Anointing of the Head with Oil in Psalm 23:5
Anointing of the Head with Oil in Psalm 23:5
"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil. My cup runs over" [1]. This verse concludes the shepherd imagery of Psalm 23 with a shift to the language of hospitality, where God appears as a generous host rather than a pastoral guide.
Cultural Practice
Anointing the head with oil was a widespread custom in ancient Israel and the broader Near Eastern world. Among the Hebrews, only olive oil appears to have been used for this purpose [3]. The practice served multiple functions: decorating and refreshing the person, and particularly as a mark of respect paid by a host to guests [2, 4]. Adam Clarke notes that "anointing the head with oil was as common among the Jews as washing the face with water is among us," citing Ruth 3:3, 2 Samuel 12:20, and other passages where the practice appears in contexts of hospitality [8].
Literary Context
The verse belongs to the second half of Psalm 23, where the metaphor shifts from pastoral care (verses 1-4) to banquet hospitality (verses 5-6). The "table before me in the presence of my enemies" establishes a scene of divine protection and provision, while the anointing and overflowing cup intensify the imagery of abundance. The ritual of anointing demonstrated "honor, hospitality, and refreshment" toward guests [6].
Interpretive Traditions
Rashi, the medieval Jewish commentator, reads the anointing as a reference to royal consecration: "I have already been anointed king by Your orders" [5]. This interpretation connects Psalm 23:5 to David's own anointing by Samuel and treats the psalm as reflecting on divine appointment to kingship. Elsewhere, Rashi links this verse to Psalm 141:5, where "the royal oil that was poured onto my head" should not turn the king away from righteous reproof [7].
The Christian tradition has generally emphasized the hospitality dimension. The Tyndale commentary notes that while enemies can watch the feast, "they cannot trouble the guests," highlighting God's protective provision [6]. The anointing oil in this reading functions as a sign of God's care and favor rather than specifically royal consecration, though the two meanings need not be mutually exclusive in a psalm attributed to David.
Sources
- Psalms “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil. My cup runs over. -- Psalms 23:5”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Anointing — With oil -- Ps 92:10. With ointment -- Joh 11:2. Was used for Decorating the person. -- Ru 3:3. Refreshing the body. -- 2Ch 28:15. Purifying the body. -- Es 2:12; Isa 57:9. Curing the sick. -- Mr 6:13; Jas 5:14. Healing wounds. -- Isa 1:6; Lu 10:34. Preparing weapons for war. -- Isa 21:5. Preparing the dead for burial. -- Mt 26:12; Mr 16:1; Lu 23:56. The Jews were very fond of. -- Pr 27:9; Am 6:6. Was applied to The head. -- Ps 23:5; Ec 9:8. The face. -- Ps 104:15. The feet. -- Lu 7:38,39; Joh 12:3. The eyes. -- Re 3:18. Ointment for Richly perfumed. -- S”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Oil — Only olive oil seems to have been used among the Hebrews. It was used for many purposes: for anointing the body or the hair (Ex. 29:7; 2 Sam. 14:2; Ps. 23:5; 92:10; 104:15; Luke 7:46); in some of the offerings (Ex. 29:40; Lev. 7:12; Num. 6:15; 15:4), but was excluded from the sin-offering (Lev. 5:11) and the jealousy-offering (Num. 5:15); for burning in lamps (Ex. 25:6; 27:20; Matt. 25:3); for medicinal purposes (Isa. 1:6; Luke 10:34; James 5:14); and for anointing the dead (Matt. 26:12; Luke 23:56). It was one of the most valuable products of the country (Deut”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Anointing — in Holy Scripture, is either, I. Material--with oil--or II. Spiritual--with the Holy Ghost. I. MATERIAL.-- + Ordinary . Anointing the body or head with oil was a common practice with the Jews, as with other Oriental nations. (28:40; Ruth 3:3; Micah 6:15) Anointing the head with oil or ointment seems also to have been a mark of respect sometimes paid by a host to his guests. (Luke 7:46) and Psal 23:5 + Official . It was a rite of inauguration into each of the three typical offices of the Jewish commonwealth. a. Prophets were occasionally anointed to their o”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) on Psalms 23:5: You anointed my head with oil I have already been anointed king by Your orders.”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 23:5: 23:5 A feast demonstrates the Lord’s care and mercy toward his people (see 22:26, 29). Although enemies can watch, they cannot trouble the guests. • The ritual of anointing the head with oil showed guests honor (92:9-11), hospitality, and refreshment (104:15; 133:2).”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) on Psalms 141:5: may the oil of the anointment of my head not turn my head away The royal oil that was poured onto my head, as it is said (above 23:5): “You anointed my head with oil,” should not turn my head away from the reproof of the righteous man, to go and eat bread with the workers of iniquity.”
- Luke (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Luke 7:46: My head with oil thou didst not anoint - Anointing the head with oil was as common among the Jews as washing the face with water is among us. See Rut 3:3; Sa2 12:20; Sa2 14:2; Kg2 4:2; and Psa 23:5, where the author alludes to the Jewish manner of receiving and entertaining a guest. Thou preparest a table for me; anointest my head with oil; givest me an overflowing cup. See Mat 5:17.”