Gospelimages is committed to share the Biblical message as widely as possible via paintings, but not for profit.
Via the webshop it is possible to purchase high quality reproductions printed on canvas (giclées) of the painting of your choice.
All royalty proceeds will be made available to GlobalRize, "reaching the world for Christ online".
www.globalrize.org You are now leaving this website.
Back to index
I will fear no evil,
for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
Download the image for free
prefer a print on canvas?
Through the Valley
Psalm 23:4
Even 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.
Full bible text
Psalms 23
1 The Lord is my shepherd,
I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside quiet waters.
3 He refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for His name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
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 overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life.
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
1 The Lord is my shepherd,
I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside quiet waters.
3 He refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for His name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
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 overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life.
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
About this painting
In Psalm 23, David, the psalmist, writes that the Lord is his Shepherd, who cares for him, guides him, and provides in all physical and spiritual needs. This applies to him personally.
In the Bible the Lord is also called the Shepherd of the whole nation of Israel, for example in Psalm 28 verse 9, Psalm 80 verse 2.
In Psalm 23 verse 4 ‘the sheep’ addresses the Shepherd. This shows their personal relationship.
The 'passing through a valley' indicates a journey, a being on the way.
‘Thy rod and Thy staff comfort me’
The rod or stick is a kind of club less than three feet long, with a leather strap attached, which the trained shepherd can throw with great accuracy at a predator or at a sheep that strays from the flock.
This is how the shepherd protects the flock.
The staff is longer and thinner than the rod, and has a curved end. It can serve to direct a sheep in the right direction, and with the curved end a sheep can be lifted out of a pit or gorge.
A sheep that searches for food with its head down all day long mainly orients by hearing. The tapping of the shepherd's staff on the ground indicates in which direction the shepherd is moving.
At the same time the sound of the staff gives the sheep a sense of the shepherd's proximity.
Rod and staff symbolize the Word of God; the Bible, in which He expresses His will and intention towards humanity. The rod denotes more the punitive aspect of the Word, the staff more of a light correction, but also direction in life, as well as security.
Psalm 119 verse 176:
I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant,
for I do not forget your commandments.
Mark 6 verse 34:
In the Bible the Lord is also called the Shepherd of the whole nation of Israel, for example in Psalm 28 verse 9, Psalm 80 verse 2.
In Psalm 23 verse 4 ‘the sheep’ addresses the Shepherd. This shows their personal relationship.
The 'passing through a valley' indicates a journey, a being on the way.
The sheep spend the summer in close proximity to the shepherd, who leads them to higher grassy mountain pastures. The best route there is always through the valleys. There are the least steep slopes, and there is also enough water and food for the journey.
However, in these valleys and canyons dangers of death also lurk: wild animals that can attack the sheep, sudden violent storms may turn mountain brooks into raging streams in a very short time. Loose rock and stone chips can fall down from the mountainside.
Then the shepherd is there to provide shelter in time.
However, in these valleys and canyons dangers of death also lurk: wild animals that can attack the sheep, sudden violent storms may turn mountain brooks into raging streams in a very short time. Loose rock and stone chips can fall down from the mountainside.
Then the shepherd is there to provide shelter in time.
‘Thy rod and Thy staff comfort me’
The rod or stick is a kind of club less than three feet long, with a leather strap attached, which the trained shepherd can throw with great accuracy at a predator or at a sheep that strays from the flock.
This is how the shepherd protects the flock.
The staff is longer and thinner than the rod, and has a curved end. It can serve to direct a sheep in the right direction, and with the curved end a sheep can be lifted out of a pit or gorge.
A sheep that searches for food with its head down all day long mainly orients by hearing. The tapping of the shepherd's staff on the ground indicates in which direction the shepherd is moving.
At the same time the sound of the staff gives the sheep a sense of the shepherd's proximity.
Rod and staff symbolize the Word of God; the Bible, in which He expresses His will and intention towards humanity. The rod denotes more the punitive aspect of the Word, the staff more of a light correction, but also direction in life, as well as security.
Psalm 119 verse 176:
I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant,
for I do not forget your commandments.
Mark 6 verse 34:
When He went ashore He saw a great crowd, and He had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And He began to teach them many things.
In John 10 verse 11 Jesus says:
"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep".
1 Peter 2 verse 25:
For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
In John 10 verse 11 Jesus says:
"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep".
1 Peter 2 verse 25:
For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.