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The Shepherd and His Sheep: Psalm 23:4

As we look at verse four, this may be the most well-known verse of the six verses in Psalm 23. My hope is that it will not be a message of gloom, doom, and despair, but rather a message of hope—a reminder of the amazing comfort found in the Lord Jesus Christ.

1. The Path That Is Certain

“Yea, though I walk…”

This is not a statement of possibility, but of assurance. It is not chance—it is certainty. David essentially says, yes, when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death.

No one likes to think about this valley, but it is a reality we will all face—sometimes with others, and eventually on our own. It is a path that is certain.

2. The Place That Is Certain

“…through the valley of the shadow of death…”

David identifies a place we will all face. This valley is marked by three characteristics:

  1. A place of depression – It is called a valley. Valleys are low places, hard to climb out of, and often symbolize physical, mental, or spiritual heaviness.

  2. A place of darkness – It is the valley of the shadow. A shadow is created when light is blocked. In this valley, it often feels like all light has been blocked, leaving us in darkness.

  3. A place of death – The valley reminds us of finality, of endings, of things outside our control.

This is the place that is certain for all of us.

3. The Protection That Is Certain

“I will fear no evil…”

I have used this psalm at funerals for both the saved and the lost. For the saved, whose Shepherd is the Lord, this verse is a promise of protection. For the lost, there is no such assurance.

For those who reject the Shepherd and His salvation, there will be a place of eternal separation from God—full of evil and fear. But for those who know Christ, there is no fear of evil in the valley. The Shepherd is our protector.

4. The Promise That Is Certain

“…for Thou art with me.”

The first three points may sound heavy—they are facts of life. But here, everything changes. God is with us. The Lord is with us. The Shepherd is with us.

I do not know how people face the valley without the Lord, but I do know this: when we go through it, He is there.

  • John 3:16 reminds us of eternal life in Him.

  • Revelation 21:1–3 speaks of a new heaven and new earth.

  • 1 Corinthians 15:52 promises a resurrected body.

  • 2 Corinthians 5:8 reminds us of being present with the Lord.

  • Revelation 21:4 promises no more pain and no more death.

What a promise! When we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we do not walk alone. The Shepherd is with us.