Psalm 23 Excerpt From Heart of a Psalmist

II MY LIFE - ‘You’ Are My Shepherd – (4-6)

“ Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; ”(4)

Something marvelous takes place at this critical moment in both the lives of the shepherd and the sheep. As they walk through the valley of the shadow of death, the impersonal pronoun ‘He’ becomes the more personal pronoun ‘You’ that continues throughout the psalm. The Shepherd grows closer in the darkest, deathly moments of life and fear is eliminated by his presence. This darkness is described as ‘the court of death…the most fearful darkness, as of Hades…as the shaft of a mine’ 3 . An even more amazing event takes place; it is the shepherd who dies in the valley of the shadow of death and the sheep passes on to receive the blessings in the remainder of the psalm. Jesus showed us a love beyond all loves: “ I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. ”(Jn. 10:11) Death is a shadow because our shepherd laid down his life in the valley. He did not run when the murderous wolf attacked the sheep, but he gave his life for us. “ Yes, by God’s grace, Jesus tasted death for everyone in all the world. ”(Heb. 2:9)

“ Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”(4)

The rod is for the protection of the sheep and is an offensive weapon whereas the staff is for guiding and restoring the flock. Moses’ rod became the symbol of God’s power by which he delivered them from Egypt and defended them in their battles in the wilderness. “ But lift up your rod and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it. ”(Exodus 14:15)

“ You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; ”(5)