For thou art with me ] He who has his God for a companion need fear no danger; for he can neither mistake his way, nor be injured.

Thy rod and thy staff ] ûfb� shibtecha, thy scepter, rod, ensign of a tribe, staff of office; for so fb� shebet signifies in Scripture. And thy staff, ûtn[�mw umishantecha, thy prop or support. The former may signify the shepherd's crook; the latter, some sort of rest or support, similar to our camp stool, which the shepherds might carry with them as an occasional seat, when the earth was too wet to be sat on with safety.

With the rod or crook the shepherd could defend his sheep, and with it lay hold of their horns or legs to pull them out of thickets, boys, pits, or waters. We are not to suppose that by the rod correction is meant: there is no idea of this kind either in the text, or in the original word; nor has it this meaning in any part of Scripture. Besides, correction and chastisement do not comfort; they are not, at least for the present, joyous, but grievous; nor can any person look forward to them with comfort. They abuse the text who paraphrase rod correction, &c. The other term [� shaan signifies support, something to rest on, as a staff, crutch, stave, or the like. The Chaldee translates thus: "Even though I should walk in captivity, in the valley of the shadow of death, I will not fear evil. Seeing thy WORD ( ûrmym meymerach, thy personal Word) is my Assistant or Support; thy right word and thy law console me." Here we find that the WORD, rmym meymar, is distinguished from any thing spoken, and even from the law itself. I cannot withhold the paraphrase of the old Psalter though it considers the rod as signifying correction: "Sothly I sal drede na nylle; for "thy wande", that es thi lyght disciplyne, that chasties me as thi son: "and thi staf", that es thi stalworth help, that I lene me til, and haldes me uppe; thai have comforthed me; lerand (learning, teaching) me qwat I suld do; and haldand my thaught in the, that es my comforth."

Matthew Henry Commentary

--"The Lord is my shepherd." In these words, the believer is taught to express his satisfaction in the care of the great Pastor of the universe, the Redeemer and Preserver of men. With joy he reflects tha he has a shepherd, and that shepherd is Jehovah. A flock of sheep gentle and harmless, feeding in verdant pastures, under the care of skilful, watchful, and tender shepherd, forms an emblem of believer brought back to the Shepherd of their souls. The greatest abundance i but a dry pasture to a wicked man, who relishes in it only what please the senses; but to a godly man, who by faith tastes the goodness of God in all his enjoyments, though he has but little of the world, it is green pasture. The Lord gives quiet and contentment in the mind whatever the lot is. Are we blessed with the green pastures of the ordinances, let us not think it enough to pass through them, but let u abide in them. The consolations of the Holy Spirit are the still water by which the saints are led; the streams which flow from the Fountai of living waters. Those only are led by the still waters of comfort who walk in the paths of righteousness. The way of duty is the trul pleasant way. The work of righteousness in peace. In these paths we cannot walk, unless. God lead us into them, and lead us on in them Discontent and distrust proceed from unbelief; an unsteady walk is the consequence: let us then simply trust our Shepherd's care, and hearke to his voice. The valley of the shadow of death may denote the mos severe and terrible affliction, or dark dispensation of providence that the psalmist ever could come under. Between the part of the floc on earth and that which is gone to heaven, death lies like a dar valley that must be passed in going from one to the other. But even in this there are words which lessen the terror. It is but the shadow of death: the shadow of a serpent will not sting, nor the shadow of sword kill. It is a valley, deep indeed, and dark, and miry; but valleys are often fruitful, and so is death itself fruitful of comfort to God's people. It is a walk through it: they shall not be lost in this valley, but get safe to the mountain on the other side. Death is king of terrors, but not to the sheep of Christ. When they come to die God will rebuke the enemy; he will guide them with his rod, and sustai them with his staff. There is enough in the gospel to comfort the saints when dying, and underneath them are the everlasting arms. The Lord's people feast at his table, upon the provisions of his love Satan and wicked men are not able to destroy their comforts, while the are anointed with the Holy Spirit, and drink of the cup of salvatio which is ever full. Past experience teaches believers to trust that the goodness and mercy of God will follow them all the days of their lives and it is their desire and determination, to seek their happiness in the service of God here, and they hope to enjoy his love for ever in heaven. While here, the Lord can make any situation pleasant, by the anointing of his Spirit and the joys of his salvation. But those tha would be satisfied with the blessings of his house, must keep close to the duties of it __________________________________________________________________

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