‘You set a table in the presence of my enemies …’ sings the Psalmist, ‘my cup overflows.’ There are two ways to imagine this, two images of God.
One paints an image of David sitting down to a banqueting table in the battlefield. He is the anointed king. His enemies are dead or screaming, gasping for water or begging for death in their agony. In this image, favoured by Christian nationalists, God is a bloodthirsty avenger. God wields a sword on behalf of righteous warriors and kings, and David feasts among the carnage.
The other looks rather different. On the night he was betrayed, Jesus sat at the table with his frenemies. James and John, who sought to lord it over the other disciples. Judas, who would betray him. Peter, who would deny him. Thomas, who would doubt his rising from the grave. And with these beautiful conflicted complicated friends, he broke bread and shared wine and promised a new relationship in his blood: a relationship grounded not in hostility and violence but in goodness, mercy and peace.
In this second image, God is not an avenger. Instead, God is healer, peacemaker, shepherd and friend, who anoints with healing oil and guides even enemies into connection and community.
Which image we choose is important. Speaking for myself, I have never been part of a faith group which was free from conflict. Our first task is to love, but again and again we fail. Instead we hurt and judge one another. We drive each other crazy and let each other down and even loathe each other at times. This is all normal, and there are times when many of us no doubt long for an avenging God. But the God made known in Jesus Christ refuses vengeance, refuses violence. There is no eye for an eye here, but for those who hate and persecute us only prayer, only love. The God made known in Jesus Christ transforms us, renews us and draws us towards healing. This God sets a table in the presence of our frenemies, and invites us to feast together in love.
Read the Psalm now. As you read, reflect on what blocks you from connection with others. What are your weapons? What are your burdens? What are your wounds? What makes it so difficult to love? Tell God about it. Then ask for God’s help in laying down your weapons, your wounds, your power, your pride, your weaknesses, your manipulations, and everything else that blocks you from communion. For through Christ you are invited to a new relationship with God and with others: the way of companionship, the way of justice, the way of peace.
PREPARE: Make yourself comfortable. Uncross your legs; relax your body; uncomplicate your heart. Ask God to help you surrender to whatever it is that God wants to do in you or say to you today. Breathe slowly and deeply in, then out.
2. READ: Read the following passage aloud at least three times through, slowly. Listen carefully. Notice anything which captures your attention.
God is my shepherd; I have all I need.
God makes me lie down in grass meadows,
and leads me by still waters.
God renews my life-breath
and guides me on pathways of justice
for the sake of God’s name.
Even though I walk in the vale of death’s shadow,
I fear no harm;
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff—they comfort me.
You set a table before me
in the presence of my foes;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in God’s house
my whole life long. (Psalm 23)
3. REFLECT: Allow a word, phrase or image to speak to you. What do you notice? What emotions do you feel? What questions are bubbling up? Reflect in silence.
4. RELATE: Now wonder: What blocks you from connection with others? What are your weapons? What are your burdens? What are your wounds? What makes it so difficult to love, or to join with friends and enemies at the table? Tell God about it.
5. RESPOND: What is God calling you to now? Pray about this, and tell God about anything which is emerging. If you feel called to action, ask God to show you the next step.
6. REST: When you feel ‘done’, rest awhile. Savour the conversation you are having with God, and God’s loving presence. Close with a gesture of thanks: perhaps a simple bow. As you prepare to leave this space, if any word, phrase or image persists, let it guide you. Or if nothing in particular arises, remember this:
- God is my shepherd; I have all I need …
Shalom,
Alison
Reflection on Psalm 23 prepared for the Flemington Ark / Essendon Baptist on 21 July 2024 © Alison Sampson, 2024. Photo by Niklas Ohlrogge on Unsplash.
Alison and the whale 