In this verse the figure changes from Yahweh as shepherd to Yahweh as host. The background may be that of the fellowship meal which followed the thanksgiving sacrifice in the Temple (see 22.26; see Anderson).

Thou preparest a table refers to the preparation of a meal or a feast.

Since Yahweh is the host, the presence of the psalmist’s enemies is no threat to him; he is under Yahweh’s protection and care. There may be a tone of derision, as the psalmist taunts his enemies by reminding them that they cannot harm him.

Thou anointest my head with oil: to rub a guest’s head with olive oil was part of the prescribed etiquette followed by a solicitous host as he welcomed his guests; it was neglected by the Pharisee Simon, as he received Jesus (Luke 7.46). Since the custom and its meaning are unknown to the average English-speaking reader, Good News Translation has abandoned the figure and expressed the meaning with “you welcome me as an honored guest.” Bible en français courant keeps the figure and explains it: “You receive me by pouring a bit of perfumed oil on my head.”

In languages where there are terms which symbolize the receiving of guests, thou anointest my head with oil may be substituted by the equivalent expression in the receptor language. Where there are no such equivalent expressions or practices, the translator normally has two choices: (a) to explain the anointing with oil without reference to the custom, as in Good News Translation; or (b) to explain it and retain the reference to the custom. In the latter case one may say, for example, “you welcome me as an honored guest by rubbing my head with oil.”

The cup which the host offers his guest is filled to the brim with wine, a gesture of generosity. Some take the Hebrew word translated overflows (which occurs only here in the Old Testament) to mean intoxicating, that is, the wine is strong and fully satisfies the guest’s desires. This does not seem very likely.

The expression my cup overflows lacks an agent who causes this to happen, and one is supplied in Good News Translation, “you … fill my cup to the brim.” However, in some languages it will be necessary to make clear that the cup refers to the one which the guest is drinking from; for example, “you fill the cup I drink from to the very top” or, if it is not advisable to use “cup,” “you give me all I can drink.”

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Reyburn, William D. A Handbook on the Book of Psalms. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1991. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .