Daily Verse Daily Verse by Faithlife | Psalm 23:4
- Thread starter SCAdmin
- Start date
23:4 a dark valley The psalmist acknowledges that life will not always be characterized by green pastures and quiet waters (v. 2). He will walk through darkness or gloom (107:10; Job 10:22).
evil The Hebrew word used here, ra'ah, can refer to harm or trouble (Job 2:10). Even in difficult times, the psalmist will not fear any harm.
you are with me The psalmist does not fear because of Yahweh’s presence, which protects him from harm (Psa 138:7; Isa 43:2).
Your rod and your staff Tools used by shepherds to guide sheep. Having sheep pass under a rod was a way of counting them (Lev 27:32). Here, the rod symbolizes Yahweh’s protection and care. Elsewhere, it serves as a symbol of divine discipline (Ps 89:32; 2 Sam 7:14).
Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Ps 23:4). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
23:4 Some argue that the Hebrew term tsalmaweth is related to an Akkadian word (tselem) that means “deep darkness.” Others say it comes from two Hebrew words, tsal and moth, and means “shadow of death.” It occurs approximately twenty times in the OT. It is clear that it implies intense darkness that represents extreme danger (Jb 10:21; 28:3; Jr 2:6). “Darkest” fits this specific context, since it is in the darkest valley where the greatest danger (such as a predator) lurks. As the psalmist encounters this challenge, he switches from the third person to the second person—he stops talking about the Lord and talks to the Lord.
Warstler, K. R. (2017). Psalms. In E. A. Blum & T. Wax (Eds.), CSB Study Bible: Notes (p. 837). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.