A companion psalm
A companion psalm
through the valley
The LORD is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul:
he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
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.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:
thou anointest my head with oil;
my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
Two lines, and both are the Obadiah pattern. "Through the valley" - not around it, not above it, through it. And "a table before me in the presence of mine enemies" - provision inside the danger zone, not after escape from it. The table is set while the enemies watch. The anointing happens in the fire, not after it. This is Goshen: protection and provision inside the place of danger. And the psalmist does not ask to leave the valley. He walks through it, fearing no evil - not because the valley is safe, but because the shepherd is present.