Psalm 23

Continuing in the promises, prayers and predictions connected to the twenty-third Psalm.

Verse 4: The comforting shepherd.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.


The shadow of death must be a terrible place (actually not so much a place as a condition that we could find ourselves in). Job uses the term when cursing the day that he was born and/or conceived, Job 3:5, "Let darkness and the shadow of death claim it for their own. Let a cloud dwell on it. Let all that makes black the day terrify it." and again when describing death, Job 10:21-22, "Before I go where I shall not return from, to the land of darkness and of the shadow of death; ^10:22 The land dark as midnight, of the shadow of death, without any order, where the light is as midnight."

There is also mention in Psalm 44:19, "Though you have crushed us in the haunt of jackals, and covered us with the shadow of death."

The shadow of death does not refer to physical death but is the shadow of spiritual death. Even so, David (author Psalm 23), feared no evil.....and neither should you...Hahum! Am I sure about that? YES. For like David, we are comforted by our shepherd's rod and staff.

Do you fear death...spiritual death, or in deed, do you fear anything? Ask the Lord for His strength and you will fear no evil.

Let the Lord guide you and be your shepherd.