A Study in the Psalms: Psalm 23
It was interesting to look at this verse from a shepherd's viewpoint. Keller explains that the sheep graze in a different area in the summer than they do in the winter. He notes that when David refers to the valley of the shadow of death, he's drawing on the experience of leading the sheep through the valley to get to the "summer range" and back to the home ranch when the weather gets cooler. During this trek through the valley, the sheep are in close proximity to their shepherd. Keller points out that the shepherd takes the valleys because it is a gentler grade up and down the mountains rather than using the steep incline. This trek is "done against a dramatic background of wild mountains, rushing rivers, alpine meadows and high rangelands." (82) It was not easy terrain, hence the word picture of "shadow of death." David was very aware of the adverse conditions involved in moving his flock from one grazing range to another, but he also knew it was necessary to protect them in the different seasons and provide the best possible grazing land. Even though these valleys had several adverse conditions, they also provided plenty of water and some very rich forage and food for the sheep.
In order for me to reach that "mountaintop," so to speak, where I experience a renewed and strengthened faith and trust in God, I have to go through the valleys. I love how Keller put it, "Often we get an erroneous idea about how this takes place [mountaintop experiences]. It is as though we imagined we could be 'air lifted' onto higher ground. On the rough trail of the Christian life this is not so. As with ordinary sheep management, so with God's people, one only gains higher ground by climbing up through the valleys." (83-84) It's in the valley that my faith and trust are strengthened. If I turn and run from my troubles, I will be missing out on some great blessings that God has in store for me on the way. I am going to experience disappointments, frustration, discouragement, grief, and difficulties, but my Shepherd is right there with me the entire time! He is walking with me through the pain and keeping me safe and refreshed in the valley until I reach the end. I have also heard this verse referred to when a fellow believer dies, and it applies in that circumstance as well; going through death with a loved one is certainly a time in the valley, but Christ is right there holding on through it all knowing the pain the loved ones are experiencing on this earth.
I have no reason to fear while I'm walking through the valleys of this life. I need to cling to God's promises in His Word and cling to the knowledge that my Shepherd is right there with me even though I may not be able to see Him through the pain and trouble. I can move forward without fear knowing He is right there with me always!
I will be the first to admit, this is easier said than done. My natural self wants to run and hide when trouble comes instead of walking through boldly. At times, my natural self gets angry with God and questions what He's doing. I have to continually remember that He is in control, and He knows what lies ahead. He alone knows the paths I need to take. My finite mind will never fully comprehend His ways, but I can trust Him to do what's best for me. I need to remember and claim the promises God gives me. That's why it's critical I stay in His Word daily.
I had several songs come to mind as I was reading through this verse along with what Keller wrote. I know there are more, but I've shared three below. All of these songs have great encouraging words. Two of the songs repeat words from Psalm 23:4a.
I Am...written from Christ's perspective telling me He's holding on to me no matter what I'm going through.
You Never Let Go...God never lets go of me
How Sweet the Sound...talks about the beautiful sound of Christ's amazing grace and how He carries us through tough times and restores our souls
I am so thankful for my Shepherd's ever-present care!
Keller, W. Phillip. "Yea, Though I Walk Through the Valley..." A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Pub. House, 1970. 81-91. Print.
Psalm 23:4a
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me...This is such a tough verse because it points out the difficulties that will come into my life. It's not "If I walk through the valley of the shadow of death;" it says, "Even though I walk." In John 16:33, Jesus says, "I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." Jesus didn't sugarcoat it and tell me the Christian walk is easy if I just believe. He said I would experience trouble and adversity, but He doesn't leave me hanging. He tells me to be encouraged, to take heart, because He has overcome the world! There will be an end to all my troubles, all the sin and evil that surrounds me.
It was interesting to look at this verse from a shepherd's viewpoint. Keller explains that the sheep graze in a different area in the summer than they do in the winter. He notes that when David refers to the valley of the shadow of death, he's drawing on the experience of leading the sheep through the valley to get to the "summer range" and back to the home ranch when the weather gets cooler. During this trek through the valley, the sheep are in close proximity to their shepherd. Keller points out that the shepherd takes the valleys because it is a gentler grade up and down the mountains rather than using the steep incline. This trek is "done against a dramatic background of wild mountains, rushing rivers, alpine meadows and high rangelands." (82) It was not easy terrain, hence the word picture of "shadow of death." David was very aware of the adverse conditions involved in moving his flock from one grazing range to another, but he also knew it was necessary to protect them in the different seasons and provide the best possible grazing land. Even though these valleys had several adverse conditions, they also provided plenty of water and some very rich forage and food for the sheep.
In order for me to reach that "mountaintop," so to speak, where I experience a renewed and strengthened faith and trust in God, I have to go through the valleys. I love how Keller put it, "Often we get an erroneous idea about how this takes place [mountaintop experiences]. It is as though we imagined we could be 'air lifted' onto higher ground. On the rough trail of the Christian life this is not so. As with ordinary sheep management, so with God's people, one only gains higher ground by climbing up through the valleys." (83-84) It's in the valley that my faith and trust are strengthened. If I turn and run from my troubles, I will be missing out on some great blessings that God has in store for me on the way. I am going to experience disappointments, frustration, discouragement, grief, and difficulties, but my Shepherd is right there with me the entire time! He is walking with me through the pain and keeping me safe and refreshed in the valley until I reach the end. I have also heard this verse referred to when a fellow believer dies, and it applies in that circumstance as well; going through death with a loved one is certainly a time in the valley, but Christ is right there holding on through it all knowing the pain the loved ones are experiencing on this earth.
I have no reason to fear while I'm walking through the valleys of this life. I need to cling to God's promises in His Word and cling to the knowledge that my Shepherd is right there with me even though I may not be able to see Him through the pain and trouble. I can move forward without fear knowing He is right there with me always!
I will be the first to admit, this is easier said than done. My natural self wants to run and hide when trouble comes instead of walking through boldly. At times, my natural self gets angry with God and questions what He's doing. I have to continually remember that He is in control, and He knows what lies ahead. He alone knows the paths I need to take. My finite mind will never fully comprehend His ways, but I can trust Him to do what's best for me. I need to remember and claim the promises God gives me. That's why it's critical I stay in His Word daily.
I had several songs come to mind as I was reading through this verse along with what Keller wrote. I know there are more, but I've shared three below. All of these songs have great encouraging words. Two of the songs repeat words from Psalm 23:4a.
I Am...written from Christ's perspective telling me He's holding on to me no matter what I'm going through.
You Never Let Go...God never lets go of me
How Sweet the Sound...talks about the beautiful sound of Christ's amazing grace and how He carries us through tough times and restores our souls
I am so thankful for my Shepherd's ever-present care!
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