Even When I Walk Through the Darkest Valley

As we reach the second half of Psalm 23, there is a subtle shift that shows additional intimacy in David’s expression of praise toward God. Although up to this point he has been speaking in the third person about the shepherd, he now begins speaking in the second person, to the shepherd. This ties in well with the change in setting for the fourth verse.
Shepherds must move their sheep around during different seasons, as different seasons require allow for the best feeding and grazing opportunities in different locations. In the summer in Palestine, shepherds would typically take their flocks to the hill country, which would also typically take them away from their homes and other help. This was a time of even closer dependency by the sheep on the shepherd. To reach the hill county, the shepherd must often lead his sheep though valleys and ravines, which could be dangerous and challenging areas. Travel through those areas required the shepherd to be very knowledgeable of the terrain, and the shepherds would typically travel the area many times on their own before they would bring the sheep. This allowed them to be able to ensure the best chances of safe passage. As they confidently guided their sheep through even dark valleys, the sheep, confident in the presence and leadership of the shepherd, would follow with assurance of their safety.
The sheep also drew comfort from the shepherd’s two primary tools of his trade: his rod and staff. A shepherd’s rod was his primary offensive and defensive weapon. A shepherd would make his own rod, typically from a young sapling. He would shape a large head and then would fit the handle to perfectly fit his hand. The rod could be used as a club or it could be thrown. Shepherds, through years of practice, were known to be able to throw their clubs with great speed and accuracy. This was used as a primary weapon of defense against predators. It also could be a tool for discipline and for warning. If a sheep was wandering into a dangerous location, the shepherd could throw the club and in doing so could get the sheep to turn away from the danger. A staff is unique to shepherds. It is a tool that is suitable only for sheep. A shepherd can use it to pick up a lamb , and you transport that lamb closer to its mother. He can also use it to gently draw a sheep closer to him, or he can guide his sheep with it, firmly pressing it against its side to remind the sheep of its his presence and to direct it in the proper way. Finally, a shepherd can also use it to pull a sheep out of a difficult location or to catch it and stop it from falling off of a ledge. these tools then, although they can be weapons and even tools of discipline, primarily serve as sources of comfort to the sheep, because they are signs of the shepherd's ability to be able to protect them.