Psalms 23:5
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
The verse portrays abundant care, favor, provision, and honor bestowed on faithful servants even while enemies are present and amid adversity and suffering. A prepared table, an anointed head, and an overflowing cup picture that generosity and abundance. It gives the righteous confidence and assurance in adversity that they have not been forgotten and need fear no evil, because God is with them to comfort them with His rod and staff.
The verse is to be spoken as a declaration of trust in the name of the Lord and of staying upon God by one who fears the Lord yet walks in darkness and has no light. This includes awaking in the night feeling enclosed in darkness and heaviness, still declaring trust whatever feelings are felt. Gloomy and desponding feelings are no evidence of being forsaken, and the declaration affirms goodness and mercy following all the days of life. The gracious and kindly spirit of the psalm is to shape the way truth is shared and to be brought by ministers into their work, with grace and kindness that make its goodness welcome.
The verse also expresses the joy and assurance of receiving rich salvation and overflowing abundance of blessing in seasons of earnest prayer. At such times heavenly grace and tokens of divine love and acceptance refresh believers so abundantly that they describe their cup as overflowing.