The Psalmist of Israel sang, "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." Ps. 23:1 The nature of this beloved Shepherd is expressed throughout the twenty-third Psalm. The Shepherd, divine Love, provides us with "green pastures" to lie in, "still waters" to drink from. It is a restorative force. It guides us in "paths of righteousness." It comforts us with both the rod and the staff.
The fifth verse reads, "Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over." Picture the scene! The table is not prepared for the enemies. Yes, the enemies are present, but are not table mates. The enemies cannot deprive us of that which is provided by God for our use. God's provision for us is so great that indeed, our "cup runneth over."
According to one dictionary, the cup in this reference signifies "good received; blessings and favors." Our great Shepherd, divine Love, is with us all in His great realm. Even when God seems absent, when the way is rough, and enemies such as fear, sin, ignorance, besiege us, the Lord —our Shepherd—is right at hand to care for us.
