Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me.
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Augustine of Hippo
AD 430
4. "Yea, though I walk in the midst of the shadow of death" (ver. 4). Yea, though I walk in the midst of this life, which is the shadow of death. "I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me." I will fear no evil, for Thou dwellest in my heart by faith: and Thou art now with me, that after the shadow of death I too may be with Thee. "Thy rod and Thy staff, they have comforted me." Thy discipline, like a rod for a flock of sheep, and like a staff for children of some size, and growing out of the natural into spiritual life, they have not been grievous to me; rather have they comforted me: because Thou art mindful of me.
Walk. In the greatest temptations, we may resist by God's grace. (Worthington)
Midst. Hebrew, "in the valley. "The greatest darkness, and the most horrible precipices, give no alarm to those who are under God's protection.
Comforted me, as they have kept all enemies at a distance. The shepherd's staff or crook is designed for that purpose; and though it may be used to bring back the wandering sheep by beating them, yet it is not under that idea an object of consolation, but rather of terror. (Calmet)
The effects of timely correction are, however, comfortable; and it is a great mercy of God to chastise the sinner, lest he should run astray to his eternal ruin. (Haydock)
Some distinguish the rod from the staff, and say that the former is to punish, and the latter to support. (St. Jerome; Muis)
We are generally too backward in having recourse to God in our distresses, though he invites us so pressingly, Isaias xli. 10
