reflections on Psalm 23

no 7

You anoint my head with oil

not exactly common practice in our road,
but then, this text was written in the 10thC BC.
here in a meal context it is a mark of respect by the host for the arriving guest.
he is dishing out moist freshen up tissues to the dusty arrivals

But it is much more than that, 'oil' carries a sense of harmony,
a lubrication, and the word carries rich and fruitful within its meaning.

The Spirit of God can massage the jaded person
and perfumed oil applied to an aching heart.

with a meal comes conversation, and closer ties,
to find a rapport with God is a delight.
A rush of love to the streetwise citizen.

why do we stay at a distance when He offers so much?
because our unwholesome will is not indulged, that's why.