This morning was darker than the bright winter and spring days we’ve had so regularly, but the April showers are welcome and much needed in my area. Two weeks ago, my Psalm 23 Bible study centered on verse four, the one about walking through the dark valley. Like today’s rain showers, it was a stanza needed and welcome in a shadowy time for me.
When you break down a Scripture, especially one as familiar as the Twenty-third Psalm, the words, phrases, and meanings reveal new things. God speaks louder and clearer as you go deeper in the text – it can be amazing! Here are three takeaways for me – I give full credit to Jennifer Rothschild’s Bible Study, Psalm 23 The Shepherd With Me (Lifeway Press, 2023 & 2025),
Valleys are for going through! David the shepherd Psalmist details how a shepherd must lead sheep through dark valleys sometimes. It cannot all be green pastures and still waters, but we shouldn’t get stuck in a valley. We should continue moving forward out of the shadows.
Valleys are also a natural part of life’s terrain. The 17th century King James translation phrase was “Yea though.” Other versions say ‘Even though,’ ‘I may,’ ‘also’ and ‘yes.’ Between the lush meadows (v 2) and a great banquet (v 5), we must expect low spots, eerie shadows. Jesus confirmed, “In this world you will have trouble” which, by the way, He will overcome! (John 16 v 33)
And how does the shadow of death stanza end? “For Thou art with me … ”. God is a light to our path (Psalm 119 v 105) and Jesus promised, “I am the Light of the world.” (John 8 v 12) His light diffuses the dark. The comfort and protection of His Word outshine the fear of evil.
All of us have valleys. Evil persists. But this most beautiful of Scriptures, Psalm 23, walks us through to the place of God’s endless goodness and mercy. AMEN
Karen,
Thank you for sharing about your long and difficult valley. I will be praying as Peter he comes to mind. You mentioned the hope of on-going goodness and mercy. The word that our Scriptures often translate as ‘follow’ is actually a whole lot more proactive than that. The Hebrew word means pursue or chase after: not a passive posture but an offensive action! I think that’s why the lyrics of CeCe Wynan’s song go, “Your goodness is running after, is running after me!” ~ Brenda
I love Psalm 23. Thank you for your thoughts about the dark valleys. We have been in a long dark valley of our son Peter’s mental illness over many years. Do pray for the Lord to give him hope and healing. My favorite part of the Psalm is, “Surely and goodness and mercy will FOLLOW me all the days of my life.” When we get out of the dark valleys, we can look back and seek that it was the Lords goodness and mercy that brought us through. He surely has had us and has us. We can trust Him to lead us even when the darkness is deep darkness.