"Rod and Staff"

Posted by R. Berg on December 12, 2002

In Reply to: "Rod and Staff" posted by Vinod on December 12, 2002

: Hello, I was just hoping to learn the origin and meaning of the phrase "rod and staff". Thanks in advance for any information.

The origin is biblical. Below is Psalm 23 (King James translation), pasted from another website. The rod and staff are tools a shepherd would use in protecting his flock.

~The 23rd Psalm of David~

"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."