Psalms 23:1

KJV

¶ A Psalm of David. The LORD [is] my shepherd; I shall not want.

KJV (with Strong's)

A Psalm {H4210} of David {H1732}. The LORD {H3068} is my shepherd {H7462}; I shall not want {H2637}.

Complete Jewish Bible

A psalm of David: ADONAI is my shepherd; I lack nothing.

Berean Standard Bible

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

American Standard Version

Jehovah is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 23:1, "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want," serves as the foundational declaration of one of Scripture's most cherished passages, immediately establishing a profound and intimate relationship between the Almighty God and His people. Penned by King David, himself a former shepherd, this verse succinctly portrays God as the vigilant, caring, and all-sufficient guide and provider, assuring His flock of comprehensive provision and ultimate contentment under His watchful eye.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This opening verse sets the tone for the entirety of Psalm 23, a beloved "Psalm of Trust." It is strategically placed within the Psalter, often seen as a bridge between the intense suffering depicted in [Psalm 22](/psalms/22 "Psalm 22 - A Psalm of Suffering and Deliverance") and the triumphant declaration of God's kingship in [Psalm 24](/psalms/24 "Psalm 24 - The King of Glory"). While Psalm 22 cries out from the depths of abandonment, Psalm 23 responds with the profound assurance of divine presence and provision, demonstrating the unwavering care of God even amidst life's valleys. The subsequent verses of Psalm 23 elaborate on the specific ways the Shepherd cares for His sheep—leading, restoring, guiding, comforting, and preparing a table—all flowing directly from the initial declaration of His identity and the resulting sufficiency.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery of a shepherd and his flock was deeply ingrained in ancient Israelite culture. Shepherds were essential figures, responsible for the very survival of their sheep in often harsh and dangerous environments. They led the flock to pasture and water, protected them from predators and thieves, healed their wounds, and counted them daily. King David, having spent years tending sheep in the wilderness, understood this role intimately. This personal experience lent profound authenticity to his declaration. Furthermore, the concept of God as a Shepherd was not new; it appears throughout the Old Testament, from Jacob's blessing in [Genesis 49:24](/genesis/49-24 "Genesis 49:24 - The Shepherd, the Stone of Israel") to the prophetic promises of restoration in [Isaiah 40:11](/isaiah/40-11 "Isaiah 40:11 - He Will Tend His Flock Like a Shepherd") and [Ezekiel 34](/ekiel/34 "Ezekiel 34 - The Lord as the True Shepherd of Israel"), underscoring God's compassionate leadership over His people.

* **Key Themes:** The foundational declaration of [Psalms 23:1](/psalms/23-1 "Psalms 23:1 - The Lord is My Shepherd") introduces several pervasive themes. Firstly, **Divine Provision and Sufficiency** is paramount; the phrase "I shall not want" is a powerful testament to God's comprehensive care, indicating that all legitimate needs—physical, emotional, and spiritual—are met by the divine Shepherd. This theme resonates with God's promise to supply all needs, as echoed in [Philippians 4:19](/philippians/4-19 "Philippians 4:19 - God Will Supply All Your Needs"). Secondly, the verse highlights an **Intimate Relationship and Trust**. The possessive pronoun "my" underscores a deeply personal and exclusive bond, fostering profound trust in God's faithfulness and goodness. This personal connection is central to the believer's walk, mirroring the intimate knowledge Jesus has of His sheep in [John 10:14](/john/10-14 "John 10:14 - Jesus Knows His Sheep"). Lastly, **Security and Guidance** are implicit in the shepherd imagery. A good shepherd leads his flock to safe pastures and still waters, guarding them from harm, which speaks to the believer's security under God's protective care and His guidance through life's pathways.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _YHWH'_):** This is the personal, covenantal name of God, often rendered as "Yahweh" or "Jehovah." Its use here emphasizes God's eternal, self-existent, and faithful nature. It is the name by which God revealed Himself to Moses in [Exodus 3:14](/exodus/3-14 "Exodus 3:14 - I AM WHO I AM"), signifying His active presence and unwavering commitment to His covenant people. When David declares "The LORD is my shepherd," he is not referring to a generic deity, but to the specific, personal God of Israel who has revealed Himself in history.
* **Shepherd (Hebrew, _ro'eh'_):** More than just one who feeds sheep, the Hebrew term _ro'eh_ (from the root _ra'ah_) encompasses a comprehensive role of tending, pasturing, guiding, protecting, and nurturing. It implies a deep, active involvement in the welfare of the flock. A shepherd knows each sheep, its needs, its strengths, and its weaknesses. This word conveys active care, leadership, and a commitment to the well-being and survival of those under his charge.
* **I shall not want (Hebrew, _lo' ehsar'_):** This phrase translates literally to "I will not lack" or "I will not be in need." It conveys a profound sense of complete sufficiency and contentment. It's not a statement about having every desire fulfilled, but rather about having every genuine need met. Because the LORD is the shepherd, there is no fundamental deficiency or unmet requirement for life and godliness. It speaks to a state of spiritual and material contentment, free from anxiety about provision.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ A Psalm of David.":** This superscription identifies the author as King David, providing crucial insight into the personal and experiential nature of the psalm. David's background as a shepherd before becoming king lends unique authenticity and depth to the metaphor, as he intimately understood the responsibilities and dedication required of a shepherd. This is not merely a theological statement but a declaration born from personal conviction and experience.
* **"The LORD is my shepherd;":** This is the central, declarative statement of the verse and the entire psalm. By using the personal pronoun "my," David asserts an intimate, possessive relationship with the sovereign God (YHWH). It's a statement of personal faith and reliance, transforming the abstract concept of God into a living, active, and personal caretaker. The metaphor of "shepherd" immediately evokes images of guidance, protection, provision, and tender care, setting the stage for the detailed descriptions of God's care that follow in the rest of the psalm.
* **"I shall not want.":** This clause expresses the direct consequence and profound assurance derived from the preceding declaration. Because the Almighty, faithful God is David's personal Shepherd, he experiences complete sufficiency. This is not a claim of material abundance or the fulfillment of every fleeting desire, but rather a deep, settled conviction that all true needs—physical, emotional, and spiritual—are met. It implies a state of contentment and freedom from anxiety, knowing that the Shepherd's provision is always adequate and perfectly timed.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device in Psalms 23:1 is **Metaphor**. God is directly compared to a shepherd, without using "like" or "as," establishing a profound and pervasive image that governs the entire psalm. This metaphor is incredibly rich, drawing on the audience's deep understanding of the shepherd's role in ancient society. It immediately conveys ideas of guidance, protection, provision, and tender care. The use of the **Personal Pronoun** "my" ("my shepherd") emphasizes the intimate and individual nature of this relationship, making the divine care deeply personal rather than abstract. The verse also employs a **Declarative Statement** ("The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want"), which functions as a confident affirmation of faith and trust, rather than a question or a plea. This declarative tone sets a foundation of assurance and peace for the verses that follow.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 23:1 encapsulates a foundational truth about God's character and His relationship with humanity: He is a God of intimate, comprehensive, and unfailing provision. This verse resonates with the broader biblical theme of God's sovereignty and His benevolent care for His creation, particularly His covenant people. It speaks to the divine attribute of *El Shaddai*, "God Almighty" or "God All-Sufficient," who is more than enough for every need. The declaration "I shall not want" is not a statement of human self-sufficiency, but a profound expression of contentment and security found solely in God's sufficiency. It challenges the human tendency to strive, worry, and accumulate, inviting instead a posture of peaceful dependence on the One who faithfully sustains. This theme of divine provision and trust is woven throughout Scripture, from the manna in the wilderness to the promise of daily bread.

* [Philippians 4:19](/philippians/4-19 "Philippians 4:19 - God Will Supply All Your Needs")
* [Matthew 6:33](/matthew/6-33 "Matthew 6:33 - Seek First the Kingdom")
* [Hebrews 13:5](/hebrews/13-5 "God Will Never Leave You")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 23:1 offers immense comfort and a profound call to trust in the midst of life's uncertainties. When we genuinely embrace the truth that the LORD is "my shepherd," it transforms our perspective on provision, security, and purpose. It invites us to release the anxieties of striving and self-reliance, recognizing that our ultimate source of sustenance and guidance is not found in worldly resources, human relationships, or personal effort, but in the sovereign and loving God Himself. This verse encourages a posture of contentment, knowing that whatever God provides is always enough and precisely what is needed for our well-being. It calls us to live with peaceful dependence, resting in the assurance that the One who perfectly cares for His flock will guide us through every valley, protect us from every danger, and meet our every true need, both temporal and eternal. This truth empowers us to face life with confidence, knowing we are never truly alone or lacking.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does acknowledging the LORD as "my shepherd" impact your sense of security and provision in daily life?**
* **In what areas of your life are you tempted to "want" or strive, rather than resting in God's sufficiency?**
* **What practical steps can you take to deepen your trust in the Lord's comprehensive care for your physical, emotional, and spiritual needs?**

### FAQ
**Question?**

Answer: "I shall not want" (Hebrew: _lo' ehsar_) is a declaration of complete sufficiency and contentment, not a promise of endless material desires being fulfilled. It means "I will lack nothing" or "I will not be in need." Because the LORD is the shepherd, David is declaring that all his *true* and *legitimate* needs—for sustenance, guidance, protection, and spiritual well-being—are comprehensively met by God. It speaks to a state of being fully satisfied and secure in God's provision, free from anxiety about what might be missing. This contrasts sharply with the world's constant pursuit of more and aligns with biblical teachings on contentment, as seen in [Philippians 4:11-13](/philippians/4-11 "Learning to be Content") and Jesus' teaching not to worry about life's provisions in [Matthew 6:25-34](/matthew/6-25 "Do Not Worry"). It is a profound statement of faith that God's care is entirely adequate for every circumstance.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 23:1 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, the quintessential Good Shepherd. While David's experience as a shepherd informed his understanding of God's care, Jesus embodies this divine role perfectly. He declares in [John 10:11](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - Jesus the Good Shepherd") that He is "the good shepherd," who "lays down his life for the sheep," a stark contrast to the hired hand who flees when danger approaches. Through His atoning sacrifice, Jesus definitively secured the eternal well-being of His flock, ensuring that those who belong to Him "shall not want" for anything truly essential, especially salvation and eternal life. He is the one who leads His sheep to living waters ([John 4:14](/john/4-14 "John 4:14 - Living Water")) and provides abundant life ([John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - Abundant Life")). The New Testament further affirms Jesus as the "great Shepherd of the sheep" ([Hebrews 13:20](/hebrews/13-20 "Hebrews 13:20 - The Great Shepherd of the Sheep")) and the "Shepherd and Overseer of your souls" ([1 Peter 2:25](/1_peter/2-25 "1 Peter 2:25 - Shepherd and Overseer of Your Souls")), promising His continuous guidance, protection, and provision until He leads His redeemed flock to the ultimate pasture in the new heavens and new earth, where "the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water" ([Revelation 7:17](/revelation/7-17 "Revelation 7:17 - The Lamb Will Shepherd Them")). Thus, the psalmist's declaration of sufficiency in God finds its complete and eternal realization in Christ.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Philippians 4:19

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

John 10:11

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

Isaiah 40:11

He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry [them] in his bosom, [and] shall gently lead those that are with young.

John 10:27

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

John 10:30

I and [my] Father are one.

John 10:14

I am the good shepherd, and know my [sheep], and am known of mine.

Revelation 7:17

For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.