The Meaning of Psalms 23:4 Explained

Psalms 23:4

KJV: 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.

YLT: Also -- when I walk in a valley of death-shade, I fear no evil, for Thou art with me, Thy rod and Thy staff -- they comfort me.

Darby: 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.

ASV: Yea, thou 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.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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. 

What does Psalms 23:4 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Protection is the fourth blessing for which David gave God praise. The promises of the Lord"s presence assure us of His protection in times of danger when we fear ( Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5). The shepherd"s rod (a cudgel worn at the belt) beat off attacking animals, and his staff (walking stick) kept the sheep away from physical dangers such as precipices. [1] Likewise, God comes to the defense of His people when our spiritual enemies attack us. He also prevents us from getting into spiritually dangerous situations that would result in our destruction (cf. Matthew 6:13).

Context Summary

Psalm 23:1-6 - The Song Of The Good Shepherd
A sabbatic rest breathes through this psalm, the children's favorite; while the oldest and holiest confess that it touches an experience which still lies before them. Here is no strife, no fear, no denunciation, and no self-vindication.
Jehovah is represented as the Shepherd, the Guide, and the Host of His people. We are taught to think less of our attitude toward Him and more of His responsibility for us. The flock does not keep the shepherd, but the shepherd keeps the flock. Look away from yourself and trust Him with all, in all, and for all.
Let God see to your wants. You need nothing outside of Him. His pastures are "tender grass;" His waters, "waters of rest." He refreshes us when exhausted; heals when diseased; restores from wandering; leads in right paths, though steep; accompanies us into the valley with club for our foes and crook for the pits; spreads our table amid hatred; and protects our rear with the twin-angels, goodness and mercy! [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalm 23

1  David's confidence in God's grace

What do the individual words in Psalms 23:4 mean?

Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death no I will fear evil for You [are] with me Your rod and Your staff they comfort me
גַּ֤ם כִּֽי־ אֵלֵ֨ךְ בְּגֵ֪יא צַלְמָ֡וֶת לֹא־ אִ֘ירָ֤א רָ֗ע כִּי־ אַתָּ֥ה עִמָּדִ֑י שִׁבְטְךָ֥ וּ֝מִשְׁעַנְתֶּ֗ךָ הֵ֣מָּה יְנַֽחֲמֻֽנִי

גַּ֤ם  Yea 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: גַּם  
Sense: also, even, indeed, moreover, yea.
כִּֽי־  though 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: כִּי 
Sense: that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since.
אֵלֵ֨ךְ  I  walk 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, first person common singular
Root: הָלַךְ  
Sense: to go, walk, come.
בְּגֵ֪יא  through  the  valley 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, common singular construct
Root: גַּיְא  
Sense: valley, a steep valley, narrow gorge.
צַלְמָ֡וֶת  of  the  shadow  of  death 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: צַלְמָוֶת  
Sense: death-shadow, deep shadow, deep darkness, shadow of death.
לֹא־  no 
Parse: Adverb, Negative particle
Root: הֲלֹא 
Sense: not, no.
אִ֘ירָ֤א  I  will  fear 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, first person common singular
Root: יָרֵא 
Sense: to fear, revere, be afraid.
רָ֗ע  evil 
Parse: Adjective, masculine singular
Root: רַע 
Sense: bad, evil.
אַתָּ֥ה  You  [are] 
Parse: Pronoun, second person masculine singular
Root: אַתְּ 
Sense: you (second pers.
עִמָּדִ֑י  with  me 
Parse: Preposition, first person common singular
Root: עִמָּד  
Sense: with.
שִׁבְטְךָ֥  Your  rod 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, second person masculine singular
Root: שֵׁבֶט  
Sense: rod, staff, branch, offshoot, club, sceptre, tribe.
וּ֝מִשְׁעַנְתֶּ֗ךָ  and  Your  staff 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, feminine singular construct, second person masculine singular
Root: מַשְׁעֵנָה 
Sense: support (of every kind), staff.
יְנַֽחֲמֻֽנִי  comfort  me 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Imperfect, third person masculine plural, first person common singular
Root: נָחַם  
Sense: to be sorry, console oneself, repent, regret, comfort, be comforted.