The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The phrase "I shall not want" isn't just about lacking material things; it's a bold declaration that because God is your Shepherd, you'll lack nothing essential for your spiritual well-being and eternal destiny. This means you won't be wanting for guidance, peace, or the ultimate fulfillment found in God's presence, even when circumstances might suggest otherwise.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This psalm opens with David expressing profound personal trust in God, declaring the LORD as his shepherd. It's understood as a deeply personal reflection, possibly written during a time of settled peace after past trials, setting the stage for an exploration of divine care in both the tangible and spiritual realms. The imagery of a shepherd and sheep, familiar to David from his own past, becomes the foundation for expressing absolute confidence in God's provision and protection.
When David wrote these words, he wasn't just talking about a distant ruler. He was speaking of a deeply personal relationship.
The phrase "The LORD is my shepherd" is incredibly intimate. It's not "The LORD is a shepherd" or "The LORD is the shepherd of Israel," but "my shepherd." This personal claim speaks volumes.
A Chosen Relationship
God doesn't force this relationship on anyone. David, a former shepherd himself, knew the responsibility and tenderness involved. He understood what it meant to guide, protect, and provide for a flock. By calling Yahweh his shepherd, David is acknowledging God's active role in his life, seeing Him as the one who personally watches over him, knows his needs, and leads him.
The Shepherd's Heart
This isn't just about God fulfilling a role; it's about His heart. The commentaries highlight that God's care is constant, watchful, and tender. He leads His sheep to safety, finds them pasture, protects them from predators, and brings them to shade. This intimate knowledge and care are foundational to trusting Him.
What does it truly mean to 'not want'? Is it having everything we desire, or something deeper?
The declaration "I shall not want" is a powerful statement of trust. It doesn't mean a life devoid of challenges or desires, but rather a profound assurance that God, as our shepherd, will provide everything truly .
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Beyond Mere Possessions
Commentators point out that "want" here refers to a lack of what is essential for well-being, both temporal and spiritual. God, who owns everything, has the power and the love to provide for His sheep. He knows what we truly need, and His provision is often wiser than our own desires.
God's Defined Provision
Our understanding of 'want' can be limited by our own fallen desires. We might 'want' things that are ultimately harmful or unnecessary. The Psalmist's confidence is rooted in God's perfect knowledge and loving provision. He won't withhold what is truly good, and He mercifully denies what would be detrimental, ensuring we lack nothing essential for His purposes.
Understand the original words
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal, covenantal name of God revealed to Israel, signifying His eternal, self-existent, and faithful nature.
ro'eh · Hebrew Noun
One who tends, guides, protects, and provides for a flock, frequently used in Scripture to describe God’s relationship with His people and the role of spiritual leaders.
Jesus explicitly calls Himself the 'good shepherd' who lays down His life for His sheep, directly echoing and fulfilling the imagery David uses here.
Isaiah 40:11This passage describes God as a shepherd who gently leads His flock, gathering the lambs and carrying them in His arms, which illuminates the tender care implied in 'The LORD is my shepherd'.
Romans 8:32This verse speaks of God giving His Son for us, implying that if He has given so much, He will surely 'withhold no good thing' from us, aligning with the promise 'I shall not want'.
Philippians 4:19This passage promises that God will supply 'every need' according to His riches in glory, reinforcing the idea that a shepherd's care ensures no lack for His flock.
Ezekiel 34:12God declares He will seek out His sheep and rescue them, showing His active shepherding and His commitment to deliver them from all danger, which supports the confidence that 'I shall not want'.
clarkePsalms 23:1: "A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want."
The Lord is my shepherd - There are two allegories in this Psalm which are admirably well adapted to the purpose for which they are produced, and supported both with art and elegance. The first is that of a shepherd; the second, that of a great feast, set out by a host the most kind and the most liberal. As a flock, they have the most excellent pasture; as guests, they have the most nutritive and abundant fare. God cond…
pulpitPsalms 23:1: "<> The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want."
Verse 1. - The Lord is my Shepherd. This metaphor, so frequent in the later Scriptures (Isaiah 40:11; Isaiah 49:9, 10; Jeremiah 31:10; Ezekiel 34:6-19; John 10:11-19, 26-28; Hebrews 13:20; 1 Peter 2:25; 1 Peter 5:4; Revelation 7:17), is perhaps implied in Genesis 48:15, but first appears, plainly and openly, in the Davidical psalms (see, besides the present passage, Psalm 74:1; Psalm 77:20; Psalm 78:53; 79:14; 80:1 - psalms which, if…
The phrase "I shall not want" isn't just about lacking material things; it's a bold declaration that because God is your Shepherd, you'll lack nothing essential for your spiritual well-being and eternal destiny. This means you won't be wanting for guidance, peace, or the ultimate fulfillment found in God's presence, even when circumstances might suggest otherwise.
This psalm opens with David expressing profound personal trust in God, declaring the LORD as his shepherd. It's understood as a deeply personal reflection, possibly written during a time of settled peace after past trials, setting the stage for an exploration of divine care in both the tangible and spiritual realms. The imagery of a shepherd and sheep, familiar to David from his own past, becomes the foundation for expressing absolute confidence in God's provision and protection.
This psalm opens with David expressing profound personal trust in God, declaring the LORD as his shepherd. It's understood as a deeply personal reflection, possibly written during a time of settled peace after past trials, setting the stage for an exploration of divine care in both the tangible and spiritual realms. The imagery of a shepherd and sheep, familiar to David from his own past, becomes the foundation for expressing absolute confidence in God's provision and protection.
"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want." — The phrase "I shall not want" isn't just about lacking material things; it's a bold declaration that because God is your Shepherd, you'll lack nothing essential for your spiritual well-being and eter…
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Last reviewed October 2026