What Does “Anointed with the Oil of Gladness Above Your Companions” Mean in Scripture?
Have you ever wondered what it means to be “anointed with the oil of gladness”? This powerful biblical phrase comes from Psalm 45:7 and is quoted again in Hebrews 1:9, speaking profoundly about divine favor and spiritual joy. When God anoints someone with the “oil of gladness,” He’s bestowing a special blessing that transcends ordinary happiness. This imagery reaches into the ancient practices of royal coronations and festive celebrations, yet points forward to something much greater in God’s plan for His people. As we unpack this beautiful metaphor together, you’ll discover how this divine anointing applies not only to the Messiah but potentially to your own spiritual journey as well.
Biblical Insight
The phrase “anointed with the oil of gladness above your companions” appears in Psalm 45:7: “You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of gladness.” This psalm was originally a royal wedding song celebrating the Israelite king, but it contains Messianic overtones that point beyond any earthly monarch. In the ancient Near East, kings were ceremonially anointed with oil to signify their divine appointment and the Spirit’s empowerment for leadership. This wasn’t merely symbolic—it represented a genuine impartation of God’s presence and power upon the chosen vessel.
The New Testament connects this verse explicitly to Jesus in Hebrews 1:8-9: “But about the Son He says, ‘Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of gladness.'” Here, the author of Hebrews applies this royal psalm directly to Jesus, establishing His divine nature and superior position. The phrase “above your companions” indicates that while others may experience God’s anointing, the Messiah’s anointing surpasses all in both quality and measure. Jesus received the Holy Spirit without measure (John 3:34), unlike any prophet or leader before Him.
The “oil of gladness” itself represents supernatural joy and celebration that comes from יהוה (Yahweh) Himself. Throughout Scripture, oil symbolizes the Holy Spirit’s presence and work (Isaiah 61:1-3, Acts 10:38). This special anointing relates to Isaiah 61:3, which speaks of the “oil of joy” given in place of mourning. Jesus would later read from this passage in Luke 4:18-19, declaring Himself as the fulfillment of this prophetic word. The gladness described here isn’t merely human happiness but divine joy—the supernatural delight that flows from perfect communion with the Father and perfect fulfillment of His righteousness. Jesus received this supreme anointing because He “loved righteousness and hated wickedness” with perfect devotion.
Practical Wisdom
This divine anointing with the “oil of gladness” isn’t reserved solely for Jesus, though His portion is supreme. As followers of the Messiah, we too receive a measure of this anointing when we surrender to His lordship. 1 John 2:20 reminds us, “But you have an anointing from the Holy One,” and 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 says, “Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in the Messiah. He anointed us, set His seal of ownership on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” When we walk in obedience to God, loving what He loves and hating what He hates, we position ourselves to experience more of this supernatural joy.
The key to experiencing more of this “oil of gladness” in our lives lies in embracing the same character that Jesus demonstrated: loving righteousness and hating wickedness. Too often, we compartmentalize our spiritual lives, tolerating sinful attitudes or behaviors while wondering why we lack joy. The Scriptures make clear that genuine, lasting joy comes through alignment with God’s heart and ways. When we confess our sins and turn from them through genuine repentance, the blood of Jesus wipes away the record of charges against us, silencing the Accuser who would keep us bound in shame and condemnation. This freedom opens the floodgates for the oil of gladness to flow anew in our lives.
Remember that this anointing isn’t primarily about emotional experiences but about divine enablement for kingdom purposes. Just as kings were anointed to rule and priests to minister, we are anointed to fulfill our calling as royal priests (1 Peter 2:9). The Holy Spirit empowers us to serve others, share the gospel, and stand firm against darkness. When we embrace this sacred purpose, walking in step with the Spirit, we experience a joy that transcends circumstances—the very oil of gladness that sets us apart as God’s beloved children. This divine joy becomes both our strength for the journey and our witness to a world desperate for authentic happiness.
Clearing up misunderstandings
One common misconception about the “oil of gladness” is that it promises a trouble-free life of constant emotional happiness. This mistakenly equates divine joy with pleasant feelings or favorable circumstances. However, Scripture clearly distinguishes between worldly happiness (which depends on happenings) and spiritual joy (which persists through trials). Jesus Himself, though possessing the fullness of this anointing, was described as “a man of sorrows, familiar with suffering” (Isaiah 53:3). The oil of gladness doesn’t exempt us from pain but provides supernatural resilience and deep-seated joy that transcends our situations.
Another misunderstanding involves seeing this anointing as something we earn through righteous living. While the verse connects loving righteousness with receiving the oil of gladness, we must remember that our righteousness comes first through faith in the Messiah (Romans 3:22). We don’t earn the anointing; rather, as we live from our identity in Jesus, embracing His righteousness working through us, we experience more of the joy that’s already ours by inheritance. This is an important distinction—we’re not working to receive something new, but rather positioning ourselves to experience more fully what we’ve already been given in the Messiah.
Some also mistakenly believe this verse applies only to special leaders or particularly spiritual individuals. While it’s true that the verse speaks supremely of Jesus and has applications for those in leadership, Scripture makes clear that all believers receive the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9) and His anointing (1 John 2:20,27). Every child of God has access to this supernatural joy, though we experience it in different measures according to our surrender, obedience, and intimate communion with the Father. The oil of gladness is part of our spiritual inheritance, not an exclusive gift for the spiritually elite.
Conclusion
The beautiful truth about being “anointed with the oil of gladness” is that it reveals God’s heart for His people. He doesn’t merely save us from sin and death; He lavishes us with supernatural joy that distinguishes us from the world. Jesus received this anointing in its fullest measure, and through His sacrifice and resurrection, He shares it with all who follow Him. As you walk with Him, loving what He loves and turning quickly from what He hates, you position yourself to experience more of this divine gladness that strengthens you for every challenge and causes others to wonder about the source of your inexplicable joy.
Remember that this oil of gladness flows most freely when we keep short accounts with God, quickly confessing sin and receiving His forgiveness through the blood of Jesus. The enemy wants nothing more than to rob you of this distinctive joy, but he has no legal ground when you stand in your blood-bought righteousness. So today, receive afresh this anointing of gladness, not because you’ve earned it, but because your loving Father delights in giving good gifts to His children. Let His supernatural joy distinguish you from the world and draw others to the light of His presence shining through you.
Did you know?
In ancient Hebrew wedding celebrations, both the bridegroom and his attendants would be anointed with perfumed oils, but the bridegroom would receive a more abundant and fragrant anointing than his companions—a physical representation of the “oil of gladness above your companions” mentioned in Psalm 45. This wedding imagery beautifully connects to the New Testament’s portrayal of Jesus as the Bridegroom and the Church as His bride, with the “oil of gladness” representing the special joy of intimate covenant relationship with God that Jesus uniquely embodied and now shares with His followers.
