THE 23rd PSALM VERSE 4
- Yea, though I walk through: I don’t just walk in. I don’t walk around. I don’t stop and wait. I WALK THROUGH!
- the valley of the shadow of death: (ṣalmāveṯ: death-shadow, deep darkness): I walk through the DEEP DARKNESS.
- I will FEAR NO EVIL; For You are with me: “God HAS NOT GIVEN US A SPIRIT OF FEAR, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Tim. 1:7) “FEAR NOT, for I AM with you…I AM your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” (Isa. 41:10)
- Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me: The Staff: A Staff Gives Rest. Psalm 23 starts right off with equating the Lord with a shepherd. So, we know immediately we’re talking about shepherding tools. A shepherd might use a staff as something to lean on in case the ground is not dry or safe. For us today, the staff serves as a symbol that we too can find rest when we lean on the Lord. When we lean into Him, He’ll lean into us. He is both the shepherd and the staff supplying ALL THE REST WE NEED WHEN WE LEAN ON HIM AMANDA. The Rod: The rod is perhaps one of the most misinterpreted words in the Bible. It a tool of PROTECTION AND A SYMBOL OF LOVE. The Rod is Our Protection. The rod was used to defend the sheep against predators. Since sheep aren’t very smart, it was up to the shepherd to adequately defend his flock, so a nice hard rod made for a solid weapon against any enemies. In this way, the rod is a symbol of God’s protection. He goes before you to defend you from your enemies. As a Symbol of Love. Another purpose for the rod is one I didn’t realize. I can’t prove what I learned is true, but it makes good sense to me, so I’m passing it on to you. Apparently, most shepherds used their rods as a means of counting their sheep. In (Leviticus 27:32), a rod was used by the priests to count the tithe. Shepherds used this same methodology TO COUNT THEIR FLOCK. The shepherd would hold out the rod and have all the sheep pass under it one at a time, counting each animal as it passed. It’s very important to make sure you have an accurate head count at all times, To make sure you have not lost any of you flock.
“I will tell of the LORD’s unfailing love. I will praise the LORD for all He has done. I will rejoice in His great goodness…” (Isa. 63:7)
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