“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,” V 4.
David has been exalting the Lord by declaring what it is He does for him.
The little word ‘yea’ tells me that he is about to go further and higher in his praise of the Lord. It carries the meaning ‘even though I walk in the deepest darkest and danger I am safe’.
1. God’s people often find themselves amidst darkness
Consider these verses.
Job 30:26; Psalm 18:28; Psalm 112:4; Isaiah 50:10.
2. In the midst of darkness we can walk calmly and not run in fear.
The word ‘fear’ first appears in Genesis 3:10. The child of God has been delivered from all fear because they are reconciled to God and are His children. “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear,” 1 John 4:18. The true child of God has the Lord with them at all times. “He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee,” Hebrews 13:5.
3. There is a valley though which all but those who are alive when Christ returns, will pass through.
Here is true wisdom indeed! In good health it is best to think of sickness, in summer to lay up for the winter, Proverbs 27:1.
Even in that valley of the shadow of death we need not fear evil. The word ‘evil’ means the very opposite to ‘good’, Gen 2:9. It is also translated by ‘hurt’, Gen 26:29.
Please note that death is but a ‘shadow’ for the child of God. I don’t need to fear the shadow of a roaring lion or a massive bear! The shadow of a dog cannot bite; the shadow of a sword cannot kill! A shadow cannot stop a man’s progress even for a moment. ; the shadow of death cannot destroy us. Let us not, therefore, be afraid.
4. There is comfort in trying times from God’s rod and staff.
David says: “I will fear no evil: for thou art with me.” How do we know? “Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” These are what a shepherd carries and by which he keeps ‘in touch’ with the sheep. The rod and staff are the means of :
Counting the sheep. Leviticus 27:32. Numbering them with His flock!
Recovering the sheep. Pulling them out of danger. “He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions,” Psalm 107:20.
Correcting the sheep. “The LORD’S voice crieth unto the city, and the man of wisdom shall see thy name: hear ye the rod, and who hath appointed it,” Micah 6:9. Micah 7:14.
The word ‘comfort’ is very often translated as ‘repented’. That is the greatest comfort a person can have. It is like the comforting treatment a sick or injured persons receives from a doctor or a nurse and which sets them on the road to recovery. That is what repentance does. It is the first step to a full recovery from sin. Isaiah 52:9.