My Cup Runs Over
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over.” (Psalm 23:5 NKJV)
I love great BIG mugs!
As a tea addict, I enjoy getting my day started with a hot brew–the bigger, the better. With autumn creeping into our mountains, a steaming mug warms my hands and heart to counter the cooler days. My current fall-favorite tea flavors are praline pecan and salted caramel…yum. Either one is absolute bliss with cream and honey.
I imagine my collection of happily large mugs (the biggest holds five cups of tea) would impress C. S. Lewis. He’s credited for saying, “You can’t get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.”
My giant mugs also remind me that I am blessed beyond measure by Jesus Christ.
One of the very best Scriptures that praises God for His provisions is the familiar line in Psalm 23, “my cup runneth over,” as it says in the old King James Version. Another common translation in English is “my cup overflows.”
King David shares the visual imagery of his Lord as a lavish host who treats him as an honored guest. God gives David a generous feast, a rich anointing of perfumed oil, and a cup that is more than just full—it spills over with big-heartedness and delight. It is a personal blessing.
In his book The Lord of Psalm 23, pastor David Gibson says that King David describes this host in second-person, speaking personally: “It is as if, in all David’s speech about his shepherd in Psalm 23, what he’s saying is so wonderful that, by the time he gets to verse 4, he turns from speaking about the Lord to speaking to the Lord himself—face on, as it were….David is saying here that the blessings of the Lord have flowed freely into every part of his existence such that on every hand he sees the Lord’s bounty toward him personally.”*
Think about that abundance of God’s daily feast for us. As we enter His presence every day to spend time in prayer, we are entering a place of plenty—where He pours out His words, power, riches, and Holy Spirit over us. He is active in preparing and giving us His excessive over-the-top feast. He anoints us with His wisdom out of His kingly warehouses. He continues to fill us with His unrestrained love until our hearts overflow with it. He honors us personally as His beloved ones.
This week, as you meditate on His words and approach His throne, start by praising Him as the King who blesses us to overflowing. Worship Him for His extravagance; He is never chintzy or stingy with His gifts of goodness and mercy. Speak with Him conversationally, asking Him for what you need in order to serve Him well in return.
As you sit in awe in His presence, envision what it will be like when you join Him at His table someday in heaven. Can’t you just picture His pleasure in hosting you there? Let Him fill you up this week with the deep wonder of His abundant love. And may you “spill over” to bless everyone else around you—like a giant, brimming-over cup of tea!
Lord Jesus, my Good Shepherd and Provider, thank You for giving me the riches of your grace and salvation. Thank You for taking me into Your fold as one of Your cherished sheep. Please pour out Your Holy Spirit upon me so that I may speak only of Your love. May Your goodness and mercy follow me all the days of my life—let me dwell in Your house forever. In Your name, Amen.
*David Gibson, The Lord of Psalm 23: Jesus Our Shepherd, Companion, and Host (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2023), 106-110. It’s a sweet gift from two missionary friends, David and Jan…thank you!
Nancy C. Williams is a Christian wife/mom with a writing career spanning more than 40 years in business and journalism. Williams is the author of the novel To Love a Falcon and the devotional book A Crocus in the Desert: Devotions, Stories, and Prayers for Women Experiencing Infertility. Her blogs are featured on Crossmap.com and AriseDaily. To follow Nancy’s posts and news, go to her home page at NancyCWilliams.com and subscribe at the bottom.
© Copyright 2025 Nancy C. Williams (text and photography). Unless otherwise noted, Scripture verses are taken from the New King James Version®, Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. #Psalm23 #twentythirdpsalm #cup #anointing #mugs #tea #cslewis
