Psalm 23 is very personal. There are no references to "we" or "us" or "they", but only "my" and "me" and "I" and "You". This is David's testimony, his personal experience with God. It is precious to us, a balm to our wounded souls. And what makes this a constant friend is that it covers all of life. With simple beauty, it speaks of green pastures and still waters as well as dark valleys and enemies and adversities.
But what comforts us and helps us is the psalm's confidence. David really believes this about God. We realize as we linger over these words that what David writes is not poetic exaggeration or theoretical theology. He has experienced God in these ways, heard His voice, followed His lead, felt His care. Beneath the beauty of his words there are solid convictions, formed in the crucible of crisis. The Bible says in Psalm 23:4-6:
4. Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
5. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.
6. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever. (NKJV)
David said these words based on his personal experience when he faced (the valley of the shadow of death), which is a symbolic expression of the hardships he faced before becoming king over God's people. And David assures us that he wasn't afraid of any evil when he crossed in these afflictions, and the reason for this are words that seem simple but very great, when David said: "For You [Lord] are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me". It's a great thing when the Lord be with you while you are in the valley of the shadow of death, because with His presence with you, God will comfort you and strengthen you and make you not afraid of any evil no matter how difficult the circumstances around you. Today, I don't know what (the valley of the shadow of death) in which you cross? It may be a difficult problem, an incurable disease, material needs, difficult social situations, wars waged by Satan against you because of your faith in the Lord, or persecutions of another type. But whatever the valley of the shadow of death you cross, you can remain reassured and don't fear of any evil, because God is with you and His strength will comfort you and protect you. And not only that, but David continues to say that the Lord prepares a table before him in the presence of his enemies, meaning that the Lord blesses David despite His enemies war against him, and despite their presence around him, they can't prevent the table of blessings that God was giving David!. So, David's enemies couldn't come close to harm him, but they were trying that only. Then we see in verse 6 that David says: (Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life), meaning that goodness and mercy will follow the faithful believer wherever he goes, without asking the Lord every moment to give him that. So, there is no need to fear today from the valley of the shadow of death, because Jesus is with us, and His goodness follows us, and we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
CONCLUSION
Brethren, when you find yourself weak, in the dark, uncertain of the future. When all the color has drained out of life, and your soul is downcast, look up. Fix your eyes on Jesus, your Good Shepherd. Stick close to Him. Trust that He knows the way through this valley and will see you safely through. Believe that He has good reasons for taking this route, even though it is hard and unfamiliar. And hold on to the truth that there is something better waiting on the other side of this valley.
