Psalm 23:4

King James Version (KJV)

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Translations

Psalm 23:4 - Amplified Bible

Psalm 23:4 - American Standard Version

Psalm 23:4 - Bible in Basic English

Psalm 23:4 - Darby Bible

Psalm 23:4 - English Standard Version

Psalm 23:4 - King James Version

Psalm 23:4 - La Biblia de las Americas

Psalm 23:4 - The Message

Psalm 23:4 - New American Standard Bible

Psalm 23:4 - Nueva Biblia Latinoamericana de Hoy

Psalm 23:4 - World English Bible

Psalm 23:4 - Young's Living Translation

Psalm 23:4 - Additional Comments

"evil" here means adversity, distress, harm, trouble. It is not talking about morality but survival. So, in effect, I will fear no harm will come to me. The valley is a picture of life on earth, always with the potential for harm. But while I walk in that valley with potential harm in it, I do not fear harm will come to me. Why? God's rod and staff are protecting me.
The rod is like a club from an olive tree. It grows a shoot from the tree and develops a large bulb at the end. It becomes the shepherd's main weapon of defense for himself and his sheep. He uses it to drive off predators like coyotes, wolves, cougars or stray dogs. God's rod in the same way, drives off harm from us - believe it!
The staff, on the other hand, is a long, slender stick, often with a crook or hook on one end. The shepherd will use the staff to guide sheep along a new path or through a gate. He doesn't beat the sheep. He just nudges them along. At times, the staff may be used to get a sheep out of trouble, to pull it from the water or to free it from a bush it is entangled it. God's staff guides us away from going near what may harm us.
With God's actively using His rod and staff, why should I fear harm?

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