Many Christians are familiar with Psalm 23. It is one of the most famous verses in the Bible. But there is more to it than just words on a page. In this blog post, I am going to talk about what these words mean and how they apply to our lives as believers today.

As many of you know, I love to do verse breakdowns…in fact, I even wrote my most recent book Scripture Breakdowns to help people understand how to unpack Bible verses in a practical way. Let’s break down the first few lines of this passage that will give you a great perspective. There are 4 observations I want to point out here. 

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me…Psalm 23:4a (KJV)

1) Yea, though I walk through…

Key Point: Endurance 

Notice David says he is walking through. He didn’t say he is camping out in the valley. The valley is never meant to be a habitation, it is meant to be a visitation. We need to make sure we don’t give up when we visit the valley through circumstances in our life or else it turns into an encampment of misery. I love how Winston Churchill said, “If you’re going through hell, keep going.” We need to endure the pain and suffering of the valley. We have to keep our eyes forward as we keep walking step by step. Don’t take your eyes off of the lessons you are being taught in the valley. Don’t get so discouraged you miss the purpose of the valley. 

2) The valley of the shadow of death…

Key Point: Perspective

Notice how David says the valley of the shadow of death. It’s a shadow, not death itself. You may feel you are at your end, but you can make it. The enemy tries to cast shadows to scare us. He is a liar and manipulator. He is trying to make you think something is going to die. You will be tempted to feel hopeless with imminent death. We must get perspective in the valley. We have to make sure we cast God’s light in the shadows. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness does not overcome it. Don’t allow your circumstance to be bigger than your God.

3) I will fear no evil…

Key Point: Choice

Notice how David says I WILL fear no evil. He is making an emphatic choice to not fear. He is making the intentional decision to guide his feelings rather than being guided by them. There may be a temptation to fear, but we can choose to walk in faith regardless of the circumstances. The Apostle Paul tells us to rejoice in all circumstances. He didn’t say for all circumstances, but to rejoice in them. We don’t get to choose what we go through in life, but we can always choose how we go through it. To rejoice is a choice. It’s an internal decision based on faith in God’s protection and provision not on the circumstances around us. 

4) For you are with me.

Key Point: Faith 

Notice David says to God, “you are with me.” He didn’t say you might be with me…or I hope you are with me…or you will be with me…he said you are with me. David knew that no matter how low the valley got God was with him every step of the way. So many times we are tempted to think God has abandoned us and left us in the valleys of life. We have to understand that even though we may not see where He is, we can trust He’s there. When you can’t see His hand you can always trust His heart. And His heart is for us not against us. He will never lead us to a place where He won’t provide for us. You need to walk in faith, not by sight in the circumstances.