It was he who sent his messenger: The Greek word for messenger is the word often translated “angel,” but here it obviously refers to Samuel, who in 1 Sam 16 is sent by the Lord to select from Jesse’s sons a successor to King Saul. So in a number of languages where “angel” is translated as “God’s messenger,” it will be helpful to supply Samuel’s name here; for example, “The Lord sent Samuel.”

And took me from my father’s sheep: See 2 Sam 7.8; Psa 78.70-71. In 1 Sam 16 David is chosen by Samuel and the spirit of the Lord comes on David. In the next scene, Saul’s advisers suggest he hire a musician to ease his depression, and David is brought to Saul’s court. He leaves his task as shepherd and goes to serve the king. This sequence of events is reflected in this psalm. David tends sheep in verse 1, he makes a harp in verse 2, God hears him playing the harp in verse 3, and here in verse 4, God sends the prophet Samuel to relieve him of his shepherding duties.

And anointed me with his anointing oil: See 1 Sam 16.13; Psa 89.20. Anointing—pouring olive oil over the head—was performed when kings took office; it was like a coronation. David is to take Saul’s place (see 1 Sam 16.1).

An alternative translation model for this verse is:

He sent Samuel to anoint my head with oil
and take me away from my father’s sheep.

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on The Shorter Books of the Deuterocanon. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2006. For this and other handbooks for translators see