Psalm 23:1

Psalm 23:1

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

a. ASV: Jehovah is my shepherd; I shall not want.

b. YLT: Jehovah is my shepherd, I do not lack,

c. Amplified Bible Classic: The Lord is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack.

d. Septuagint [Psalm 23:1 in our Bible is Psalm 22:1 in the Septuagint]: The Lord tends me as a shepherd, and I shall want nothing.

e. Stone Edition Torah/Prophets/Writings: HASHEM, I shall not lack.

1. “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.”

a. [The] LORD [Strong: 3068 Yᵉhôvâh, yeh-ho-vaw'; from H1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jeho-vah, Jewish national name of God:—Jehovah, the Lord.]

b. [is my] shepherd [Strong: 7462 râʻâh, raw-aw'; a primitive root; to tend a flock; i.e. pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a friend):—× break, companion, keep company with, devour, eat up, evil entreat, feed, use as a friend, make friendship with, herdman, keep (sheep) (-er), pastor, shearing house, shepherd, wander, waste.]

1). This Psalm begins with a declaration. “The LORD is my shepherd.” This individual is in Covenant with God. God is Israel’s shepherd, and Israel is the sheepfold of God..

a). Psalm 79:13 So we thy people and sheep of thy pasture will give thee thanks for ever: we will shew forth thy praise to all generations.

b). Psalm 80:1 Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth. 

c). Psalm 95:7 For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Today if ye will hear his voice.

d). Psalm 100:3 Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

c. [I shall] not [Strong: 3808 lo' lo or lowi {lo}; or loh (Deut. 3:11) {lo}; a primitive particle; not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles (as follows):--X before, + or else, ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (X as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, + of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.]

d. want [Strong: 2637 châçêr, khaw-sare'; a primitive root; to lack; by implication, to fail, want, lessen:—be abated, bereave, decrease, (cause to) fail, (have) lack, make lower, want.]

1). As Israel’s shepherd, the LORD will supply everything they needed.

a). Deuteronomy 2:7   For the Lord thy God hath blessed thee in all the works of thy hand: he knoweth thy walking through this great wilderness: these forty years the Lord thy God hath been with thee; thou hast lacked nothing.

2). ICR Days of Praise 10/2023 Psalm 23 is our tutor, instructing us to praise Yahweh’s care for His redeemed. He is the supreme Pastor, Sustainer, Preserver, and Savior of His beloved children. With supreme exhilaration, David joyfully shouts aloud for his beloved Shepherd, who is none other than Yahweh—the Creator of both heaven and Earth. Employing the most intimate metaphor found in Scripture, the eternal Shepherd lives with His flock, devoting everything in His caring arsenal of benevolence to minister to us as our personal (not distant) guide, physician, and protector, for His glory and honor.

At the psalm’s beginning, the Lord’s name occupies the emphatic starting point. Next, the word “my” reveals an unbreakable pledged relationship which even “dares to link” our Lord and His child with contentment’s result—“I shall never want.” Everything else emphasized in this psalm rests and flows from these nine foundational words.

Let these words sink deep into your soul, especially if you have not yet embraced our Lord in salvation. The Creator of the universe cares for you, and He is willing that none should perish. Repent of your sin and place your faith and trust in the finished work of our Lord Jesus Christ. CCM