What it Means to "Walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death" (Psalm 23)

Psalm 23 (or the 22nd Psalm in the Septuagint) is dear to the heart of millions of faithful Christians. This psalm has a very human character and applies to our existential relationship with God the Creator Who brought us into being and provides for our everyday care and spiritual wellbeing. Its teaching reminds us of that which is most important in our lives, that we are God’s children and so we must love and trust in Him for all things. Christ is the "good shepherd" of mankind Who protects and cares for His flock.

The Valley of the Shadow of Death

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. (Psalm 23:4)

Matthew Henry provides extensive commentary on the meaning of this Psalm, explaining the spiritual significance we should know:

"Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, that is, though I am in peril of death, though in the midst of dangers, deep as a valley, dark as a shadow, and dreadful as death itself," or rather, "though I am under the arrests of death, have received the sentence of death within myself, and have all the reason in the world to look upon myself as a dying man, yet I am easy." 

Those that are sick, those that are old, have reason to look upon themselves as in the valley of the shadow of death. Here is one word indeed which sounds terrible; it is death, which we must all count upon; there is no discharge in that war. But, even in the supposition of the distress, there are four words that lessen the terror:—It is death indeed that is before us; however,

1. It is but the shadow of death; there is no substantial evil in it; the shadow of a serpent will not sting nor the shadow of a sword kill. 
2. It is the valley of the shadow, deep indeed, and dark, and dirty; but the valleys are fruitful, and so is death itself fruitful of comforts to God's people. 
3. It is but a walk in this valley, a gentle pleasant walk. The wicked are chased out of the world, and their souls are required, but the saints take a walk to another world as cheerfully as they take their leave of this. 
4. It is a walk through it; they shall not be lost in this valley, but get safely to the heavenly mountain on the other side of it.

This danger made light of, and triumphed over, upon good grounds. Death is a king of terrors, but not to the sheep of Christ; they tremble at it no more than sheep do that are appointed for the slaughter. "Even in the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. None of these things move me." A child of God may meet the messengers of death, and receive its summons with holy security and serenity of mind."

Baptized in Death, Raised in Christ

“It is necessary for you to be buried in death with Him by baptism. But it is not really death, but a shadow and image of death” (Gregory of Nyssa). 

“For we are baptized into the death of Christ, baptism is called the shadow and image of death, in face of which there is no longer anything to fear” (Cyril of Alexandria). 

The last part of this verse refers to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. “He comforts the believer, or guides him, with the rod and staff of the Spirit, for the One who guides and comforts is the Holy Spirit." (Gregory of Nyssa)

"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you." (John 14:16-17)

"When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come." (John 16:13)

The Lord Is My Shepherd - Psalm 23

"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 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. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever."

The psalm is closely related to Christ’s teaching about the good shepherd. 

I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father, and I lay down my life for the sheep. (John 10:9-15)

Christ is repeatedly referred to as the Shepherd of the faithful, Who heals and redeems mankind from the fallen nature of sin, corruption, and death.

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. (1 Peter 2:24-25)

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