Get out the microscope, because we’re going through this poem line-by-line.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
- Some readers consider lines 5 and 6 to be the second part of the psalm because it's thematically different.
- The metaphor of the shepherd completely disappears now.
- The line describes how God lays out a banquet for the speaker, even when his enemies are nearby.
- What is the role of the enemies, do you think? Has God made peace between the speaker and his enemies, and now they're sitting down for a meal together? Or do the enemies merely symbolize danger, in the presence of which the speaker is still safe and able to enjoy a luxurious banquet?
- The whole of the poem is highly symbolic and you should not take the individual images too literally. They're open to a wide variety of interpretations.
- That said, the passage doesn't say anything specific about bringing peace, so the main point seems to be that the speaker feels enough at ease to enjoy himself and have a good time. Also, he doesn't even have to do any of the cooking!
- "Anointment" is a sacred act of setting a person apart and and making him holy. It is symbolized by rubbing oil on the person.
- There's so much wine (or insert preferred delicious beverage here) in his cup that the liquid is literally overflowing the cup. God doesn't just provide enough, He provides more than enough.