Read
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.
2He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
3He restores my soul. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4Even 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.
5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil. My cup runs over.
6Surely goodness and loving kindness shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the LORD’s house forever.
Notice
In the valley of the shadow of death, the psalm turns from speaking about God to speaking to him, with danger still in view.
Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.
Which fear would you want to name while praying, “for you are with me”?
Write on thisWhat comfort do you find, or struggle to find, in the shepherd’s rod and staff?
Write on thisConnect
Where else Scripture says this
12 passages readers most often link with this verse, and the thread each one shares with it.
This verse's connections, by chapterThe Bible's strongest chapter linksHover or tap a book to trace it
Isaiah 41:10Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the …Both passages give God’s presence as a reason to face danger without fear, and both describe his care.
Psalm 118:6The LORD is on my side. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?Both speakers declare that they will not fear because God is with them or on their side.
Psalm 138:7Though I walk in the middle of trouble, you will revive me. You will stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies. Your right hand will save me.Both passages describe walking amid danger and address God with confidence in his care along the way.
Isaiah 43:1–2But now the LORD who created you, Jacob, and he who formed you, Israel, says: “Don’t be afraid, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by your name. You …Psalm 23 grounds courage in God’s presence; Isaiah addresses fear with God’s declaration that Israel belongs to him.
Isaiah 43:2When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be …Both passages describe passing through danger with God present, whether the path leads through a dark valley or through water and fire.
Psalm 3:6I will not be afraid of tens of thousands of people who have set themselves against me on every side.Both speakers declare that they will not be afraid while describing danger that has not gone away.
Psalm 46:1–3For the Chief Musician. By the sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.Both passages locate help in God’s presence amid trouble, with Psalm 23 expressing that help as the shepherd’s comfort.
Luke 1:79to shine on those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death; to guide our feet into the way of peace.”Both passages name the “shadow of death” and describe help there, through God’s presence in the psalm and light in Luke.
1 Corinthians 15:55–57“Death, where is your sting? Hades, where is your victory?”Death appears in both passages: Psalm 23 describes its shadow, while Corinthians challenges its sting and Hades’ victory.
Micah 7:14Shepherd your people with your staff, the flock of your heritage, who dwell by themselves in a forest. Let them feed in the middle of fertile pasture land, in …The shepherd’s staff appears in both passages, as a source of comfort in Psalm 23 and part of Micah’s prayer for care.
Acts 18:9–10The Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, “Don’t be afraid, but speak and don’t be silent;Both passages address fear, though Acts concerns Paul’s speaking and Psalm 23 concerns walking through the shadow of death.
Matthew 28:20teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.God’s presence grounds confidence in Psalm 23, and Jesus promises his presence to those teaching obedience to his commands.
Where this verse fits
Grief. fear for the future. death and what comes after.
One step
Something small to carry out of this verse
Encouragement
God’s presence is the reason given for courage in the valley. The shadow of death is real, and the shepherd’s rod and staff comfort the one walking through it.
Now put it in your words.
Start an entry on Psalm 23:4. Write what it stirs. Psalmlog sets your words beside Scripture and gives you one next step. Your first entry is free, no account needed.
Keep goingPsalm 23 · the whole chapter with its connection mapPsalms · every chapterBuild a reading plan through Psalms
Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).