Psalms 23:5 Thou preparest a table ... A. In the Palestine pastures there were many poisonous plants, and usually in the spring the shepherd would walk over the pasture pulling them up and burning them. B. The shepherd, so to speak, prepares a table in the presence of enemies. C. There were bears and mountain lions within the hills around Bethlehem in David’ s day. The enemy was watching near by. D. David was not on one side of the Jordan River and Absalom on the other – his enemy in his camp may have been able to see the camp fires of David. E. How gracious and wonderfully the Lord also cares for Thou anointest my head ... A. “Anointest my head with oil.” When the sheep came into the fold at night the shepherd would look them over one by one, checking for burrs and injuries, and would anoint their head if injured. 1) That is, he gave medicinal blessings, and this gave great comfort to the sheep. “ My cup runneth over.” Particularly for the wounded or especially tired sheep, he would bring water from the well to a trough. And this was a shepherd who was especially interested in his sheep and wanted them to get all they wanted, and so he overflowed their water cup.