“The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures.  He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul.  He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yes, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me. Your rod and your staff they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies."

“You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over”  – (Psalms 23:5b). We will look at this verse today.

David, who had written a large portion of the Book of Psalms, is here referring to one, or all three, of the anointing he had received during his life.

The first one occurred when Samuel the prophet was told by God to go to Jesse’s house and anoint one of his sons to be King of Israel.  Saul who had been anointed King over Israel years before was often not walking in God’s ways so it was time for a change of leadership.

All seven of the sons passed before Samuel as possibilities, but Samuel prophetically said, “The Lord has not chosen these” (1 Samuel 16:10). The Prophet wanted to know if Jesse had another son. He said he had one younger son who was tending the sheep.

So the father sent for his son. “Now he was ruddy, with bright eyes, and good-looking. And the LORD said, ‘Arise, anoint him; for this is the one!’

“Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward.” – (I Samuel 16:12,13 NKJV).

David was about 15 years old at this time. He would later be anointed King over Judah at Hebron for seven years and over all Israel at Jerusalem for 33 years (2 Samuel chp. 2, 5). He reined a total of 40 years. 

So now we know why David explains his anointing with oil in Psalm 23, which caused his inner cup to run over with joy!

Aaron anointed High Priest

David wrote another Psalm about anointing. It was about Moses’s brother Aaron when he was anointed High Priest.  It is also one of my favorites.

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!  It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments. It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion; For there the LORD commanded the blessing – Life forevermore” (Psalm 133 NKJV).

The Church is anointed today

There are many anointings with oil in the church. The oil used is olive oil, sometimes with frankincense or another perfume added.  There is anointing with oil: after baptism, with prayer for healing, and for those near or at death. Anointings for ministry positions held in the church are: deacon, minister/priest, bishop, arch-bishop.

On the Day of Pentecost about 2,000 years ago, 120 disciples and Apostles in the Upper Room were anointed with the Holy Spirit.  This was not an external anointing with oil, but an internal one. Tongues of fire were seen over the people’s heads and they spoke with languages of praise beyond their own understanding. Their speech centers were anointed and as a result they became capable speakers and witnesses for their resurrected Lord. 

Peter, who had vacillated from time to time, was so empowered that he preached to a crowd in Jerusalem, and 3,000 souls were born-again in one day!  Now that was a catch of fish for the fisherman Peter (Acts 1:8,2:4). 

Some churches believe that the anointing of the Holy Spirit is still available for Believers today.

Take a moment to relax and pray:  “Dear Lord, I need your power. Please anoint me. I want to be your witness. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

(See you next time at the 10^th Psalm 23 series.)