We continue our series on explaining the Pesukim (verses) of Tehillim (Psalms). Today we will discuss a Pasuk (verse) in Perek (chapter) Kaf Gimel (23), Pasuk Dalet (4). David HaMelech (King David) says, which means: “Even when I walk in the valley that is overshadowed by death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
Our rabbis tell us that David HaMelech composed this Perek of Tehillim at a time when he was running away and fleeing from Shaul HaMelech (King Saul) and his army. It was during one of the most dangerous and discouraging periods in the life of David HaMelech. He would wander from place to place, from desert to desert, fleeing and hiding. He would often stand in front of Hashem and say, “I feel like I am overshadowed by death. I am in a valley. I am walking through valleys of darkness of tzalmavet (overshadowed by death).” David HaMelech would say, “Even though I walk in these valleys of death, I have no fear, because I know very well that Borei Olam (Creator of the world) is with me.”
That is the strength of David HaMelech. Even at times that were difficult, challenging, discouraging, helpless, and hopeless, no matter what, David always understood. David HaMelech is teaching us here that no matter how difficult the situation is in life, how frightening and scary it is, and how dreadful and discouraging it is. David HaMelech says that our feelings must be lo ira ra, I do not fear evil; ki ata imadi, for you are with me, Hashem. And then David HaMelech concludes the Pasuk by saying, “Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
Our rabbis tell us that a rod symbolizes affliction, and a staff symbolizes support and protection. You see, David HaMelech, because he was a shepherd, knew very well how a rod is used and how a staff is used as well. David HaMelech would have one stick that he would carry around as a shepherd, and he would use that same stick for two different purposes. He would use it as a rod to get the sheep into place and to strike at predators who were trying to come and harm the sheep. But at the same time, David HaMelech would use that same stick as a staff, which he would use to lean his tired body on when he stopped to rest, serving as support and protection for his weary body. Therefore, this rod, this stick, symbolizes affliction, but at the same time, this stick, which is also a staff, represents salvation.
When we look at the rod of affliction on its own, when Hashem sends difficulty into our lives and we just look at the difficulty on its own, it’s terrifying, it’s scary. But if we come to realize that every rod, every affliction, is also a staff—that while Borei Olam brings the difficulty, Hashem sends support and protection with it—this understanding comforts us. If we view the rod, the affliction, and the staff, the protection and the support as two components that complement one another, that gives us peace of mind. That tells us that even though Borei Olam is bringing difficulty into my life at this moment, at this time, at the same time Borei Olam also shows me support and shows me strength.
This is what David HaMelech is teaching us: even though there are times when we go through difficulty in life, we have to remember that while we are seeing the rod of Hashem, while we are seeing the difficulty and pain, at the same time Borei Olam sends us His protection, sends us His support, and gives us the ability to overcome that challenge, to overcome that pain. This is what David HaMelech is telling us. He’s telling us that we first must not fear, no matter what the situation is, how difficult it is, and how painful it is. Even if I’m at the brink of death, I have no fear, for you are with me, Hashem. David HaMelech is strengthening us. He’s giving us the courage, giving us the strength to realize, understand, and acknowledge that Borei Olam is right there, standing in front of us, and we have no reason to fear.
At the same time, David HaMelech says, we have to remember that at that same moment Borei Olam is sending that pain and that difficulty—that Shivtecha, that rod—but at the same time, there’s also Mishantecha. Borei Olam has that staff for us to lean on, to be supported on, to be protected with. Borei Olam, at the moment of affliction, shows us support and protection. Hashem gives us the strength to get over it. Hashem gives us the courage and the ability to overcome that challenge. And with that, David HaMelech says, when a person understands this very well, that will give him the greatest comfort, the greatest peace of mind and tranquility.