Psalm 23:1-6 "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even 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. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows."
Psalm 23 is one of the most well-known and beloved passages in the Bible. It is a psalm of David, a shepherd, and king of Israel, and it is a powerful testimony to the goodness and faithfulness of God. The psalm is divided into six verses originally, but some translations have 7, each of which expresses many different aspects of the Lord's care for his people. In this series, we will take a closer look at each verse of Psalm 23 and explore the deeper meanings and insights that it holds for us.
The first verse of Psalm 23 begins with the words, "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want." These words express the deep trust and reliance that David had in the Lord. The image of the Lord as a shepherd is a powerful one, and it reminds us that just as a shepherd cares for his sheep, so too does the Lord care for us. The phrase "I shall not want" conveys the idea that when we trust in the Lord and allow him to guide us, we will lack nothing that is truly important. Let us expand upon this though.
Psalm 23:1 "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want."
This verse establishes the theme of the entire psalm, which is the Lord's care and provision for his people. The image of the Lord as a shepherd is a powerful one, and it reminds us that just as a shepherd cares for his sheep, so too does the Lord care for us.
Shepherd
The Hebrew word for "shepherd" in this verse is "ro'eh" which means to lead or guide, to feed, to tend, to care. The imagery of the shepherd is used throughout the Bible as an illustration of the relationship between God and his people, a metaphor of God's care and provision.
Other verses that reference this idea include:
Isaiah 40:11 "He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young."
Jeremiah 31:10 "Hear the word of the Lord, O nations; proclaim it in distant coastlands: ‘He who scattered Israel will gather them and will watch over his flock like a shepherd.’"
Ezekiel 34:11-12 "‘For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness."
John 10:11 "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."
Hebrews 13:20 "Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep"
All these verses from different books of the Bible use the imagery of the Lord as a shepherd, emphasizing the idea of God's care and provision for His people, His guidance and protection, and His loving relationship with His people.
The imagery of the Lord as a shepherd reminds us that just as a shepherd cares for his sheep, so too does the Lord care for us. He leads us, guides us, provides for us, and protects us. He is always with us, and He will never leave us or forsake us. These verses encourage us to trust in the Lord and to place our faith in Him, knowing that He will always be there to meet our needs and to guide us on the path of righteousness.
Sufficient
The phrase "I shall not want" conveys the idea that when we trust in the Lord and allow him to guide us, we will lack nothing that is truly important. This statement of faith implies that the speaker is confident that God will provide for all his needs, both physical and spiritual. The phrase "I shall not want" is in the Hebrew "lo echsar" which can also be translated as "I shall not lack" or "I shall not be in need", it emphasizes the idea that God's provision is enough and complete.
In this verse, David expresses his complete trust and reliance in the Lord. He acknowledges the Lord's role as his shepherd and provider, and he declares his confidence that the Lord will meet all of his needs. This phrase "I shall not want" is not only limited to material needs, but it also encompasses spiritual needs such as love, guidance, and salvation. It's a declaration of trust in God's goodness and provision, it's a statement of faith that God will meet all the needs of the speaker, and that the speaker does not need to worry or fear for anything.
In the Hebrew Bible, the word "want" is often used to express a lack of something essential, like food, clothing, or shelter. But in this verse, the meaning is much broader, it implies that God will provide for all the speaker's needs, both physical and spiritual.
This phrase "I shall not want" can be seen as a contrast to the idea of lacking or being in need. It's a statement of sufficiency, that the speaker is completely satisfied and content with what God has provided. This phrase is a reminder that when we trust in the Lord, we can be confident that he will meet all of our needs and that we can rely on him to provide for us.
This is a theme in the Bible and a core characteristic both of God and our relationship with him. Some other verses include:
Philippians 4:19 "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus."
Matthew 6:33 "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
2 Corinthians 9:8 "And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."
1 John 3:20 "For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things."
Psalm 34:9 "O fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack."
Isaiah 33:6 "He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.
Matthew 6:26 "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?"
In summary, the phrase "I shall not want" in Psalm 23:1 is a statement of faith and trust in God's goodness and provision. It's a declaration of confidence that God will meet all the speaker's needs, both physical and spiritual, and that the speaker does not need to worry or fear of anything. It's a reminder that when we trust in the Lord and allow Him to guide us, we will lack nothing that is truly important.
Jesus’s Teachings Related to this Verse
Psalm 23:1 "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." is not mentioned in the New Testament by Jesus, but the imagery of God as a shepherd is used in several of Jesus' teachings. Jesus often used parables and metaphors to illustrate spiritual truths, and the image of the Lord as a shepherd is one that He used to convey the idea of God's care and provision for His people.
For example, in John 10:11, Jesus says "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." This statement is a clear reference to God's role as a shepherd and it emphasizes the idea of God's willingness to sacrifice himself for his people.
In Matthew 18:12-14 Jesus tells a parable of a shepherd who leaves his flock of 99 sheep to find the one that is lost, this parable illustrates the idea of God's love and care for each individual.
In these verses, Jesus is not quoting Psalm 23:1, but he's using the imagery of the Lord as a shepherd, which is a powerful metaphor of God's care and provision for His people, to convey important spiritual truths. He's emphasizing the idea that God is a loving and caring shepherd who guides, protects and provides for his people.
Modern Day Relevance
Psalm 23:1 is still highly relevant and important in modern-day life as it conveys a message of hope, comfort, and trust in God. It reminds us that God is always present and that He is the one who guides, feeds, tends, and provides for us. This verse can provide comfort and encouragement in times of difficulty and uncertainty, reminding us that we can trust in God's goodness and provision.
In today's fast-paced and uncertain world, many people struggle with feelings of anxiety, fear, and worry about their future. Psalm 23:1 reminds us that we don't have to rely on our own strength or resources, but we can trust in the Lord to guide us, provide for us, and protect us. It reminds us that God is always with us and that we can find peace and rest in Him.
Additionally, the imagery of God as a shepherd is particularly relevant in modern times. The metaphor of God as a shepherd provides a powerful image of God's care, guidance, and protection for His people. It serves as a reminder that just as a shepherd tends to his flock, so too does God tend to His people. This verse can serve as a source of encouragement and hope for those who are feeling lost, alone, or in need of direction in their lives.
TLDR
In summary, Psalm 23:1 is a reminder that God is always present and that we can trust in Him to guide us, provide for us, and protect us. It's a powerful message of hope, comfort, and trust in God's goodness and provision, which is highly relevant and important in modern-day life.