(4) The valley of the shadow of death . . .--This striking expression, to which the genius of Bunyan has given such reality, was probably on Hebrew lips nothing more than a forcible synonym for a dark, gloomy place. Indeed, the probability is that instead of tsal-maveth (shadow of death), should be read, tsalm-th (shadow, darkness), the general signification being all that is required in any one of the fifteen places where it occurs. It is true it is used of the "grave" or "underworld" (Job 10:21-22). But it is also used of the "darkness of a dungeon" (Psalm 107:10), of "the pathless desert" (Jeremiah 2:6); or, possibly, since it is there parallel with drought, of "the blinding darkness of a sandstorm," and metaphorically of "affliction" (Isaiah 9:2), and of the "dull heavy look" that grief wears (Job 16:16).
By valley we must understand a deep ravine. Palestine abounds in wild and gloomy valleys, and shepherd life experiences the actual peril of them. Addison's paraphrase catches the true feeling of the original-- . . .
Verse 4. - Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death. A sudden transition and contrast, such as David loved. The quiet paths of righteousness and peace remind the poet of the exact opposite - the dark and dismal way through the valley of the shadow of death. Even when so situated, he does not, he will not, fear. I will fear no evil, he says. And why? For thou art with me. The same Protector, the same gracious and merciful God, will be still with him - leading him, guiding his steps, shepherding him, keeping him from evil. Thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff - i.e. thy shepherd's crook, and thy staff of defence - they comfort me. They make me feel that, however long and however dreary the way through the dark vale, I shall still have thy guidance and thy protection. Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Even
גַּ֤ם (gam)
Conjunction
Strong's
1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and
though
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction
I walk
אֵלֵ֨ךְ (’ê·lêḵ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common
singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk
through the valley
בְּגֵ֪יא (bə·ḡê)
Preposition-b | Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 1516: A valley
of the shadow of death,
צַלְמָ֡וֶת
(ṣal·mā·weṯ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6757: Death-like shadow, deep shadow
I will fear
אִ֘ירָ֤א (’î·rā)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3372: To fear, to revere,
caus, to frighten
no
לֹא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no
evil,
רָ֗ע (rā‘)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7451: Bad, evil
for
כִּי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction
You
אַתָּ֥ה (’at·tāh)
Pronoun - second person masculine singular
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and
you
are with me;
עִמָּדִ֑י (‘im·mā·ḏî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 5978: Against, by, from, me, mine, of, that I take, unto,
Your rod
שִׁבְטְךָ֥ (šiḇ·ṭə·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine
singular
Strong's 7626: Rod, staff, club, scepter, tribe
and Your staff,
וּ֝מִשְׁעַנְתֶּ֗ךָ (ū·miš·‘an·te·ḵā)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 4938: Support,
sustenance, a walking-stick
they
הֵ֣מָּה (hêm·māh)
Pronoun - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1992: They
comfort me.
יְנַֽחֲמֻֽנִי׃ (yə·na·ḥă·mu·nî)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | first person common
singular
Strong's 5162: To sigh, breathe strongly, to be sorry, to pity, console, rue, to avenge
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Catholic BibleOT Poetry: Psalm 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley (Psalm Ps Psa.)