Psalm 23 1 Commentary: So, let’s see what this shepherd-turned-king says about God’s Pastoral Provisions. Let’s read the rest of verse 1.
The LORD is my shepherd;
I [shall not want/lack nothing].
Psalm 23 1 Commentary: What a Shepherd is Like
A shepherd cares for his sheep. If the sheep are to eat, it’s the shepherd who leads them to the pastures. If the sheep are thirsty, they count on the shepherd to provide the water. If a sheep is feverish or sick, he has no means to heal himself. It’s the shepherd who works to remedy whatever’s wrong with the sheep. If the sheep is in danger from some predator, it’s the shepherd who alone can protect him – since sheep have no real means of defending themselves. That’s the relationship between a literal shepherd and his literal sheep.
Psalm 23 1 Commentary: All We Like Sheep
And don’t we as God’s people know what that’s like in a metaphorical sense with the Lord? We’re not literal sheep. And yet our relationship with the Lord is like a sheep’s relationship with his shepherd. Our God provides us with food and water and clothing and shelter and protection from adversaries. In these ways and many more the Lord is our shepherd, just as he was David’s.
Psalm 23 1 Commentary: I Shall Not Want
And if the Lord is your shepherd you can proclaim with David that you shall not want. That’s not saying that you will never have any desires. That word “want” is used in Exodus 16:18 where the people were going out to get manna and the text says, “he that gathered little had no lack.” Or in Deuteronomy 2:7 where Moses says, “these forty years the LORD thy God hath been with thee; thou hast lacked nothing.”
Psalm 23 1 Commentary: No Lack
So, it’s not that as a sheep of our Lord the shepherd you will never desire anything. But rather you will never lack any good thing that the Shepherd wants you to have as you follow him.
And then anything we do lack as the Lord’s sheep, we either have not asked for it – as James in the New Testament reminds us – we have not because we ask not. Or the Lord knows that we don’t need it.
Psalm 23 1 Commentary: When We Do Lack
We might think that we absolutely need some specific thing in this life. And yet, if we have asked for it and yet we still don’t have it this is when we can trust our Shepherd that: a) he will provide it in his perfect timing, or b) he knows we don’t need it.
And if you and I are convinced that the Lord is our shepherd then we will be content with that way of thinking. We will rest and trust, knowing that he knows what’s best for us.
So, we as the Lord’s sheep shall not want. David was convinced of that fact and he invites us to meditate on that reality – the reality of God’s Pastoral Provisions.
Psalm 23 1 Commentary: How We Don’t Lack
And now through the rest of this psalm he leads us through several areas of life where this rings true – where God’s Pastoral Provisions appear in the life of a believer. Let’s see this in verse 2 on our Psalm 23 2 Meaning article.
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I went through several articals, but I did not get seticification. I was reading Psalm 23:4, during that time I was searching some articals on same verse when I got your articals really it change my perspective always I was trying to interprate this verse as I want but after reading your articals it changed my perspective.
Thanks for your explenation. May God use you more then more.
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Thank you so much for your kind words. I praise the Lord, my Shephard!
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Thank you for the simple explanation which every lay man can understand. I am happy and satisfied with your explanation, thank you.
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thank u ,its so very clear ,the explaination is very clear how God takes care of us as His sheep.He is indeed a good unique shepard.We have to meditate on that,we will live happily knowing that our GOD is our shepard
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I thank God for your commentary, May God bless you and your families from the evil one and meet y’all every needs, in the name of Jesus I pray ask and believe ,Amene.
All makes sense to me now especially “I shall not want”. I understand clearly now that God blesses me all that I need and especially it is important to ask God for what I need , if I don’t ask then I won’t get it and when I do ask and not get it it’s because God knows that I don’t need it. Yes and Amene.
Thank You Dear Abba Father God for helping me to dig deeper into Your Words to help me grow spiritually matured in You, I hunger and thirst for more of You all day and all night long, Your Words to me is like Your manna fresh everyday that I can eat to keep my spirit strong in You always and forever. I am learning the whole Psalm 23: 1- 6 and also memorizing it too deep inside my mind, heart ,spirit and soul. Help me Dear Holy Spirit to remember every word as I seek 1st God’s Kingdom and His Righteousness and then “all things shall be added unto me”. I will do a commentary also on all things shall be added unto me too. I need to understand clearly what are those things that God is saying to me.
Jesus said, With God all things are possible with God. I will continue to ask, seek and knock to learn more about Jesus ways, truth and life.
Have a wonderful blessed time and life in Lord Jesus forevermore!!!
Aloha and Mahalo,
From Maui Hawai’i
Your Sista in Christ,
Puanani:)
P.s
I will meet y’all in heavenbound one Glorious Day when Jesus return and us home with Him.
Glory be to God! Hallelujah Yeshua Praise God 👏 🙌 🙏 ❤️
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Great commentary. Your explanation is very clear.
Blessings
Sister Jamillah
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I was lost, frustrated and discouraged addict 33 years ago until one day in the midst of it all, my 94-year-old deceased Christian grandmother’s voice came to me saying; “I DARE YOU TO TRY GOD ONE TIME” from her teaching all of her grandchildren the 23rd Psalms. When I went to rehab, I recited these Psalms daily. As I learned the 12 steps the first 4 verses helped me to understand that unless I became “Willing” to Admit, Accept, Believe and Submit to the power of God as my Shepherd. I would be lost Forever. Unless I allowed God to lead me in the path of Righteousness for His name Sake because I had lost my Way. This article reminded me that when we’re lost, we must allow for “THE POWER GREATER THAN OURSELVES TO BECOME OUR SHEPHERD OR BE DOOMED TO ETERNAL PAIN. Thank for this article as I’m an Elder/Pastor now trying to teach! others. 12th Step Having had a Spiritual Awakening as a result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to our (still suffering) brothers/sister ADDICTS(Sinners) and to Practice these principles in ALL OUR AFFAIRS. / IN THE NAME OF JESUS/
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Great encouragement indeed.i have now really learnt what psalm 23 v 1 means.Thank you sir for your clear explanation. May the Lord our God use you more
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