Psalm 23 1

Psalm 23:1 kjv

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Psalm 23:1 nkjv

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

Psalm 23:1 niv

A psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

Psalm 23:1 esv

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Psalm 23:1 nlt

The LORD is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.

Psalm 23 verses

Psalm 23 1 Meaning

Psalm 23:1 is a foundational declaration expressing a deep, personal relationship with God. It identifies God as a Shepherd who actively guides, protects, and perfectly provides for all true needs of the individual, ensuring a state of complete contentment and the absence of any essential lack.

Psalm 23 1 Context

Psalm 23 is traditionally attributed to David, who served as a shepherd in his youth before becoming king. This personal experience profoundly informs the rich pastoral imagery throughout the psalm. The ancient Near East frequently depicted kings and deities as shepherds of their people, a common metaphor for leadership and provision. By declaring "The LORD is my shepherd," David posits Yahweh as the ultimate, ideal Ruler and Provider, offering a direct contrast to often harsh, unreliable, or inadequate human kings and the impotent promises of pagan gods. The psalm expresses profound trust in God's faithful care amidst all life's circumstances, whether in abundance (vv. 2-3), through the valley of shadow (v. 4), or in the presence of enemies (v. 5), culminating in an eternal dwelling with the Lord (v. 6). Psalm 23 immediately follows Psalm 22, which prophetically speaks of the suffering of the Messiah, and precedes Psalm 24, which describes the King of Glory entering His holy place. This juxtaposition subtly portrays the journey from suffering to peace and ultimate triumph under the constant care of the Divine Shepherd.

Psalm 23 1 Word analysis

• The LORD (יְהוָה - YHWH): This is the covenant name of God, the Tetragrammaton, revealing His self-existent, eternal, and intensely personal nature. It highlights His unchanging faithfulness and presence in relationship with His people, emphasizing His specific identity as the one true God who covenants and provides.
• is: Though often implied in Hebrew, its understanding here stresses a present, ongoing reality. It denotes God's active, continuous, and dynamic role in the life of the psalmist. God is the shepherd, not merely was or will be.
• my: This possessive pronoun emphasizes the profound personal connection. It's not just a shepherd, or the Shepherd of a nation, but my shepherd, signifying an intimate, individualized, and exclusive relationship between God and the believer.
• shepherd (רֹעִי - ro'i): Derived from the Hebrew root ra'ah, meaning to feed, tend, guard, lead, or graze. This term encapsulates the comprehensive care of God: providing sustenance (food and water), guidance (leading to green pastures and still waters), protection (from predators and dangers), restoration (bringing back the wandering), and comforting presence. David's own background imbues this metaphor with rich meaning, portraying a tireless, self-sacrificing caregiver. It contrasts sharply with the "bad shepherds" often condemned in prophetic texts.
• I: The pronoun refers to the individual believer, affirming the subject of this divine care. It signifies the psalmist's personal confession of faith and trust.
• shall not: A strong, emphatic negation in Hebrew, leaving no ambiguity. It signifies absolute certainty concerning the following statement.
• want (אֶחְסָר - ehsar): From the verb hasar, meaning to lack, diminish, fall short, or need. In this context, it speaks to an ultimate sufficiency, not merely the absence of desire. It implies a complete contentment and freedom from essential needs – physical, spiritual, emotional, and relational. Because the sovereign God is the shepherd, all true needs are perfectly met, resulting in profound peace and security.

• "The LORD is my shepherd": This phrase establishes the absolute ground for all subsequent hope and assurance. It is a declarative statement of faith that identifies God's core character in relation to the psalmist: He is a personal, active, and benevolent caregiver. This declaration transforms the abstract concept of God into an intimately involved protector and provider, forming the bedrock of the psalm's comforting message.
• "I shall not want": This phrase is the direct, confident consequence of the initial declaration. Because YHWH, the ultimate provider, is my shepherd, the psalmist is secure in the knowledge that every necessary thing for well-being and life will be supplied. It is a statement of fulfilled needs and deep contentment, an inner peace that transcends external circumstances, testifying to the Shepherd's comprehensive and unfailing provision. This doesn't mean no trials or desires, but no fundamental, life-sustaining lack.

Psalm 23 1 Bonus section

The power of Psalm 23:1 lies not only in its words but also in the rich metaphorical depth drawn from David's intimate knowledge of shepherding. A shepherd risks his life for his flock, knows each sheep individually, and carefully plans for their well-being, moving them to new pastures and watering holes based on seasonal changes and environmental factors. This illustrates God's proactive, all-encompassing care. The concept of God as Shepherd predates David, appearing even in Jacob's blessing of Joseph (Gen 49:24), confirming it as an enduring divine attribute recognized across generations. This foundational verse encapsulates the core theme of the entire psalm: divine provision and protection, elaborating in subsequent verses how this shepherding occurs (leading, restoring, comforting) and the extent of its reach (through dark valleys, in the presence of foes, and ultimately, to an eternal home).

Psalm 23 1 Commentary

Psalm 23:1 is a profoundly personal and powerful opening, setting the tone for one of the Bible's most cherished psalms. It commences with a direct and unwavering assertion of identity: "The LORD is my shepherd." This declaration signifies an active, ongoing relationship where the omnipotent Creator personally takes on the role of tender guardian and guide. For David, a former shepherd himself, this imagery speaks of unwavering protection, patient guidance through treacherous paths, abundant provision in barren lands, and a constant, comforting presence.

The confident pronouncement, "I shall not want," directly stems from this divine shepherding. It is a testament to perfect sufficiency in the Lord. This "want" extends beyond mere material necessities to encompass all facets of a human's deepest needs—spiritual sustenance, emotional solace, wisdom for guidance, protection from dangers, and complete well-being. It is a statement of profound contentment and trust that with God as the Shepherd, nothing truly essential will ever be lacking. The verse encapsulates a state of deep security and peace, founded not on self-sufficiency or external circumstances, but on the character and unceasing care of the Almighty God.Examples: A student trusting God's provision for their education and future despite financial uncertainty; a parent finding rest in God's care for their child's future, releasing anxieties; a lonely individual finding deep fulfillment in God's presence, understanding that the truest companionship is found in Him.