Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. (ESV)

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (NIV)

For years, I pleaded with my parents for a dog. I remember promising I’d be responsible, that I’d take her out every night.

But when I finally brought the ten-pound pup home, I quickly realized what I hadn’t carefully considered: we lived out in the country, with no fence, and the nights were very dark.

Picture it: the pitch-black night, wind whistling through the trees, coyotes barking somewhere beyond the porch light, and my new best friend sitting at the door with a full bladder.

Put me outside in the middle of the night, even as a twelve-year-old boy, and there was no doubt I’d imagine the worst-case scenario. From the moment I stepped off the porch, I was sure glowing eyes were watching me from the treeline. And as real as my fear felt, it was mostly my imagination.

When David speaks of “the valley of the shadow of death,” he wasn’t imagining. As a shepherd, he knew all too well the wild animals that lived in the valleys…lions, bears, wolves. And eventually, those same valleys became a hiding place: no longer for a shepherd boy protecting a flock, but a man running for his life from a troubled king and his army. 

That’s the very real shadow of death. Death had chased him down.

But notice how he does not say, “I will fear no evil because I am brave,” or, “I will fear no evil because I have conquered giants and lions before.”

He writes, “...for You are with me.” 

I remember the few nights my dad stepped outside with me. The same sounds in the distance, but the darkness felt completely different. My fear was overshadowed by my dad’s presence, because I trusted him to protect me.

This is what David means. He didn’t deny the danger. He remembered who was with him. God was stronger than his enemies, and he knew it. 

There is a shadow greater than the shadow of death, the shadow of the One who causes death to tremble. 

The safest place in the valley is under the shadow of the Almighty. (Psalm 91:1-3)

Written by Blake Stanley