Psalms 23:4

_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 valley of the shadow of death. The "shadow of death," or the death-darkness, does not, as sometimes explained, imply that it is mere shadow, but is the Hebrew idiom for thee blackest darkness; hence, a position surrounded by great perils and deaths (Psalms 44:19; Job 24:17): also death itself in its gloomiest aspect (Job 10:21). Both senses hold good in this verse. In all dangers, and especially in the last and most trying of all-the dying hour-we, have stronger reason than David to "fear no evil." It is not his own fearlessness, but it is God's saving care of him, eve

4._Though I should walk. _True believers, although they dwell safely under the protection of God, are, notwithstanding, exposed to many dangers, or rather they are liable to all the afflictions which befall mankind in common, that they may the better feel how much they need the protection of God. David, therefore, here expressly declares, that if any adversity should befall him, he would lean upon the providence of God. Thus he does not promise himself continual pleasures; but he fortifies himself by the help of God courageously to endure the various calamities with which he might be visited. Pursuing his metaphor, he compares the care which God takes in governing true believers to a shepherd’s staff and crook, declaring that he is satisfied with this as all-sufficient for the protection of his life. As a sheep, when it wanders up and down through a dark valley, is preserved safe from th...

Verse Psalms 23:4. _YEA, THOUGH I WALK THROUGH THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF_ _DEATH_] The reference is still to the _shepherd_. Though I, as one of the _flock_, should walk through the most dismal valley, in the dead of the night, exposed to pitfalls, precipices, devouring beasts, c., I should fear no evil under the guidance and protection of such a Shepherd. He knows all the _passes_, dangerous defiles, hidden pits, and abrupt precipices in the way and he will guide me around, about, and through them. See the phrase _shadow of death_ explained on Matthew 4:16. "Thof I ward well and imang tha, that nouther has knowyng of God, ne luf or in myddis of this lyf, that es schadow of ded; for it es blak for myrkenes of syn; and it ledes til dede and il men, imang qwam gude m...

YEA, THOUGH I WALK THROUGH THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH - The meaning of this in the connection in which it occurs is this: “God will lead and guide me in the path of righteousness, even though that path lies through the darkest and most gloomy vale - through deep and dismal shades - in regions where there is no light, as if death had cast his dark and baleful shadow there. It is still a right path; it is a path of safety; and it will conduct me to bright regions beyond. In that dark and gloomy valley, though I could not guide myself, I will not be alarmed; I will not be afraid of wandering or of being lost; I will not fear any enemies there - for my Shepherd is there to guide me still.” On the word here rendered “shadow of death” - צלמות _tsalmâveth_ - see Job 3:5, note; and...

EXPOSITION THIS little psalm is an idyll of great beauty, describing the peace and calm delight which dwell with one whose trust is wholly in God. David's authorship, asserted in the title, is highly probable; but we cannot fix the poem to any special period in his lifetime; we can only say that he is beyond the days of boyhood, having already enemies (Psalms 23:5), and that he has known what it is to be in danger of death (Psalms 23:4). But, when he writes, he is experiencing a time of rest and refreshment (Psalms 23:1), nay, of prosperity and abundance (Psalms 23:5). His thoughts are happy thoughts—he lacks nothi

YEA, THOUGH I WALK THROUGH THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH,.... Which designs not a state of spiritual darkness and ignorance, as sitting in the shadow of death sometimes does, since the psalmist cannot be supposed to be at this time or after in such a condition; see Isaiah 9:2; nor desertion or the hidings of God's face, which is sometimes the case of the people of God, and was the case of the psalmist at times; but now he expressly says the Lord was with him; but rather, since the grave is called the land of the shadow of death, and the distresses persons are usually in, under apprehensions of immediate death, are called the terrors of the shadow of death; see Job 10:21; the case supposed is, that should his soul draw nigh to the grave, and the sorrows of death compass him about, and he should be upon the brink and

Did you ever notice that the 22 nd Psalm exhibits «that great Shepherd of the sheep» as laying down his life for the sheep; that the 23 rd Psalm exhibits «the good Shepherd» with all his sheep around him happy and restful, while the 24 th Psalm represents «the chief Shepherd» who shall appear in due time; and when he does appear, then shall his sheep also appear with him in glory? Psalms 23:1. _The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want._ How can a sheep want when it has a good and wise shepherd able and willing to provide for it: and how can a believer want when he has God himself, the ever-gracious and omnipotent Lord of all, to forestall his needs and to prevent him from ever knowing what want means? David does not say, «I shall have all I wish for because the Lord is my Shepherd;» but he does say, «I shall not want. Not only have I no want now, but I never shall want

Psalms 23 Christ, the Great Shepherd _ 1. Assurance (Psalms 23:1)_ 2. Comfort (Psalms 23:4) Psalms 1:1; Psalms 2:1; Psalms 3:1. Well has it been said “without Psalms 22:1, there could be no Twenty-third Psalm.” While the former Psalm reveals Christ as the good Shepherd, who gives His life for the sheep, this Psalm makes Him known as the great Shepherd of the sheep, whom the Go

XXIII. YAHWEH AS SHEPHERD (PSALMS 23:1) AND HOST (PSALMS 23:5_ F_.). Psalms 23:2_ b._ waters of rest as in _mg._ Psalms 23:3. Read, right paths: the metaphor is still maintained. Psalms 23:4_ a_. Read _mg._ Psalms 23:4_ b_. The staff supports, the rod protects....

YEA. Moreover. THROUGH. Not into; but "through", and out of it, into resurrection life. VALLEY, &C.. a valley of deep shade: may include (but not necessarily) death's dark valley. EVIL. Hebrew. _ra'a'._ App-44. THOU ART WITH ME. JEHOVAH-SHAMMAH. App-4. ROD AND... STAFF. club and... crook. The only two things carried by the shepherd; the former for defense, the latter for help. The club for the sheep's enemies, the crook for the sheep's defense.. lesson for pastors to-day. COMFORT. gently lead. Same word as "leadeth" in Psalms 23:2....