fear no evil.” The reason for this absence of fear follows immediately, as the psalmist switches from talking about the Lord, the Shepherd, to speaking to the Lord: “for you are with me.” The “rod” refers to the short wooden club that the shepherd would use for protection against animal or human enemies. The “staff” was longer and could be used to help sheep struggling up a difficult path or through whatever darkness and wilderness they must pass (see Jer. 2:6). The