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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/23-1.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/19/19_Psa_023_001.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 23:1 - The LORD is My Shepherd" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/psalms/23-1.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/psalms/23-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/psalms/">Psalms</a> > <a href="/psalms/23.htm">Chapter 23</a> > Verse 1</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/psalms/22-31.htm" title="Psalm 22:31">◄</a> Psalm 23:1 <a href="/psalms/23-2.htm" title="Psalm 23:2">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/psalms/23.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/psalms/23.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />A psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/23.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/23.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/23.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/23.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />A Psalm of David. The LORD <i>is</i> my shepherd; I shall not want.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/23.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />A Psalm of David. The LORD <i>is</i> my shepherd; I shall not want.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/23.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd, I will not be in need.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/23.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/23.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/23.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />A Psalm of David. Yahweh is my shepherd, I shall not want.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/23.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />A Psalm of David. The LORD is my Shepherd [to feed, to guide and to shield me], I shall not want.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/23.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />A psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I have what I need.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/23.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />A Davidic psalm. The LORD is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/23.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />A Psalm of David. Jehovah is my shepherd; I shall not want.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/23.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />You, LORD, are my shepherd. I will never be in need. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/23.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/23.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />[A psalm by David.] The LORD is my shepherd. I am never in need.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/23.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The LORD is my shepherd; I have everything I need. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/23.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The LORD is the one who is shepherding me; I lack nothing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/23.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/23.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />A psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/23.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />[A Psalm by David.] The LORD is my shepherd; I lack nothing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/23.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/23.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />A Psalm by David. Yahweh is my shepherd; I shall lack nothing. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/23.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />A PSALM OF DAVID. YHWH [is] my shepherd, I do not lack,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/23.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> A Psalm of David. Jehovah is my shepherd, I do not lack,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/23.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Chanting of David. Jehovah my shepherd, and I shall not want.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/23.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />A psalm for David. The Lord ruleth me: and I shall want nothing. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/23.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 22:1>A Psalm of David. The Lord directs me, and nothing will be lacking to me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/23.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />A psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/23.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/23.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />THE LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/23.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />LORD JEHOVAH will shepherd me and I shall lack nothing.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/23.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/23.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />A Psalm of David. The Lord tends me as a shepherd, and I shall want nothing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/23-1.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=2393" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/23.htm">The LORD is My Shepherd</a></span><br> <span class="reftext">1</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/4210.htm" title="4210: miz·mō·wr (N-ms) -- A melody. From zamar; properly, instrumental music; by implication, a poem set to notes.">A Psalm</a> <a href="/hebrew/1732.htm" title="1732: lə·ḏā·wiḏ (Prep-l:: N-proper-ms) -- Perhaps beloved one, a son of Jesse. Rarely; Daviyd; from the same as dowd; loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse.">of David.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God."> The LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/7462.htm" title="7462: rō·‘î (V-Qal-Prtcpl-msc:: 1cs) -- A primitive root; to tend a flock; i.e. Pasture it; intransitively, to graze; generally to rule; by extension, to associate with.">is my shepherd;</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">I shall not</a> <a href="/hebrew/2637.htm" title="2637: ’eḥ·sār (V-Qal-Imperf-1cs) -- To lack, need, be lacking, decrease. A primitive root; to lack; by implication, to fail, want, lessen.">want.</a> </span><span class="reftext">2</span>He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/10-11.htm">John 10:11</a></span><br />I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/10-14.htm">John 10:14</a></span><br />I am the good shepherd. I know My sheep and My sheep know Me,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/34-11.htm">Ezekiel 34:11-12</a></span><br />For this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Behold, I Myself will search for My flock and seek them out. / As a shepherd looks for his scattered sheep when he is among the flock, so I will look for My flock. I will rescue them from all the places to which they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/34-15.htm">Ezekiel 34:15-16</a></span><br />I will tend My flock and make them lie down, declares the Lord GOD. / I will seek the lost, bring back the strays, bind up the broken, and strengthen the weak; but the sleek and strong I will destroy. I will shepherd them with justice.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/40-11.htm">Isaiah 40:11</a></span><br />He tends His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart. He gently leads the nursing ewes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/4-19.htm">Philippians 4:19</a></span><br />And my God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/6-33.htm">Matthew 6:33</a></span><br />But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/13-20.htm">Hebrews 13:20</a></span><br />Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/5-4.htm">1 Peter 5:4</a></span><br />And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/7-17.htm">Revelation 7:17</a></span><br />For the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd. ‘He will lead them to springs of living water,’ and ‘God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/48-15.htm">Genesis 48:15</a></span><br />Then he blessed Joseph and said: “May the God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/49-24.htm">Genesis 49:24</a></span><br />Yet he steadied his bow, and his strong arms were tempered by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob, in the name of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/49-10.htm">Isaiah 49:10</a></span><br />They will not hunger or thirst, nor will scorching heat or sun beat down on them. For He who has compassion on them will guide them and lead them beside springs of water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/31-10.htm">Jeremiah 31:10</a></span><br />Hear, O nations, the word of the LORD, and proclaim it in distant coastlands: “The One who scattered Israel will gather them and keep them as a shepherd keeps his flock.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/7-14.htm">Micah 7:14</a></span><br />Shepherd with Your staff Your people, the flock of Your inheritance. They live alone in a woodland, surrounded by pastures. Let them graze in Bashan and Gilead, as in the days of old.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.</p><p class="hdg">I shall</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/34-9.htm">Psalm 34:9,10</a></b></br> O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for <i>there is</i> no want to them that fear him… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/84-11.htm">Psalm 84:11</a></b></br> For the LORD God <i>is</i> a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good <i>thing</i> will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/6-33.htm">Matthew 6:33</a></b></br> But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/22-9.htm">Care</a> <a href="/psalms/22-31.htm">David</a> <a href="/psalms/22-26.htm">Good</a> <a href="/psalms/8-5.htm">Lack</a> <a href="/psalms/22-31.htm">Psalm</a> <a href="/psalms/8-7.htm">Sheep</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/18-16.htm">Shepherd</a> <a href="/job/38-41.htm">Want</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/37-28.htm">Care</a> <a href="/psalms/23-6.htm">David</a> <a href="/psalms/25-7.htm">Good</a> <a href="/psalms/34-9.htm">Lack</a> <a href="/psalms/23-6.htm">Psalm</a> <a href="/psalms/44-11.htm">Sheep</a> <a href="/psalms/28-9.htm">Shepherd</a> <a href="/psalms/34-9.htm">Want</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 23</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/23-1.htm">David's confidence in God's grace</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/23.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/psalms/23.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>A Psalm of David.</b><br>This introduction identifies King David as the author, a shepherd himself before becoming king. His experiences as a shepherd provide a rich background for the imagery used in this psalm. David's life, from tending sheep to leading Israel, reflects a deep reliance on God, paralleling the shepherd-sheep relationship. The psalm is part of the Book of Psalms, a collection of songs and prayers used in both personal devotion and public worship in ancient Israel.<p><b>The LORD is my shepherd;</b><br>The term "LORD" refers to Yahweh, the covenant name of God, emphasizing His personal relationship with His people. The shepherd metaphor is significant in the ancient Near Eastern context, where shepherds were responsible for the care, guidance, and protection of their sheep. This imagery is used throughout Scripture to describe God's relationship with His people (e.g., <a href="/isaiah/40-11.htm">Isaiah 40:11</a>, <a href="/ezekiel/34-11.htm">Ezekiel 34:11-16</a>). In the New Testament, Jesus identifies Himself as the "Good Shepherd" (<a href="/john/10-11.htm">John 10:11</a>), fulfilling the role of divine guidance and care.<p><b>I shall not want.</b><br>This phrase expresses complete trust in God's provision. In the historical context, shepherds ensured their flocks had everything they needed, from food to safety. The statement reflects a deep contentment and assurance that God will supply all needs, as echoed in <a href="/philippians/4-19.htm">Philippians 4:19</a>. It also points to the spiritual fulfillment found in Christ, who provides for the deepest needs of the soul (<a href="/john/6-35.htm">John 6:35</a>). The phrase underscores the sufficiency of God's care, eliminating any lack or deficiency.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a></b><br>The author of <a href="/bsb/psalms/23.htm">Psalm 23</a>, David was a shepherd before becoming the king of Israel. His experiences as a shepherd provided him with a deep understanding of the relationship between a shepherd and his sheep, which he uses as a metaphor for God's care for His people.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal, self-existent nature and His personal relationship with His people. In this Psalm, God is depicted as a shepherd, highlighting His guidance, provision, and protection.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/s/shepherd.htm">Shepherd</a></b><br>A common occupation in ancient Israel, shepherds were responsible for the care, guidance, and protection of their sheep. This role is used metaphorically to describe God's relationship with His people.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The nation chosen by God, often referred to as His flock. The imagery of God as a shepherd is frequently used throughout the Old Testament to describe His relationship with Israel.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/w/wilderness.htm">Wilderness</a></b><br>The setting for many of David's psalms, the wilderness represents both physical and spiritual challenges. It is a place where reliance on God as a shepherd is crucial for survival and guidance.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_personal_care.htm">God's Personal Care</a></b><br>Just as a shepherd knows each sheep, God knows each of us personally and cares for our individual needs.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_provision.htm">Trust in God's Provision</a></b><br>The phrase "I shall not want" encourages believers to trust that God will provide for their needs, both physical and spiritual.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/dependence_on_god.htm">Dependence on God</a></b><br>Like sheep depend on their shepherd for guidance and protection, we are called to depend on God in every aspect of our lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/contentment_in_christ.htm">Contentment in Christ</a></b><br>Understanding that God is our shepherd should lead us to contentment, knowing that He provides everything we need.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/security_in_god's_presence.htm">Security in God's Presence</a></b><br>The shepherd's presence assures the sheep of safety. Similarly, God's presence in our lives provides us with security and peace.<a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/23.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(1) <span class= "bld">Shepherd.</span>--This image, as applied to God, appears in Hebrew literature first (<a href="/genesis/48-15.htm" title="And he blessed Joseph, and said, God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk, the God which fed me all my life long to this day,">Genesis 48:15</a>; <a href="/genesis/49-24.htm" title="But his bow stayed in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; (from there is the shepherd, the stone of Israel:)">Genesis 49:24</a>) of his relation to the individual (comp. <a href="/psalms/119-176.htm" title="I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant; for I do not forget your commandments.">Psalm 119:176</a>); as the shepherd of His people the image is much more frequent (<a href="/psalms/78-52.htm" title="But made his own people to go forth like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.">Psalm 78:52</a>; <a href="/psalms/80-1.htm" title="Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you that lead Joseph like a flock; you that dwell between the cherubim, shine forth.">Psalm 80:1</a>; <a href="/isaiah/40-11.htm" title="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.">Isaiah 40:11</a>; <a href="/isaiah/63-11.htm" title="Then he remembered the days of old, Moses, and his people, saying, Where is he that brought them up out of the sea with the shepherd of his flock? where is he that put his holy Spirit within him?">Isaiah 63:11</a>; Ezekiel 34; <a href="/micah/7-14.htm" title="Feed your people with your rod, the flock of your heritage, which dwell solitarily in the wood, in the middle of Carmel: let them feed in Bashan and Gilead, as in the days of old.">Micah 7:14</a>). . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/23.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 1.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The Lord is my Shepherd</span>. This metaphor, so frequent in the later Scriptures (<a href="/isaiah/40-11.htm">Isaiah 40:11</a>; <a href="/isaiah/49-9.htm">Isaiah 49:9, 10</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/31-10.htm">Jeremiah 31:10</a>; <a href="/ezekiel/34-6.htm">Ezekiel 34:6-19</a>; <a href="/john/10-11.htm">John 10:11-19, 26-28</a>; <a href="/hebrews/13-20.htm">Hebrews 13:20</a>; <a href="/1_peter/2-25.htm">1 Peter 2:25</a>; <a href="/1_peter/5-4.htm">1 Peter 5:4</a>; <a href="/revelation/7-17.htm">Revelation 7:17</a>), is perhaps implied in <a href="/genesis/48-15.htm">Genesis 48:15</a>, but first appears, plainly and openly, in the Davidical psalms (see, besides the present passage, <a href="/psalms/74-1.htm">Psalm 74:1</a>; <a href="/psalms/77-20.htm">Psalm 77:20</a>; <a href="/psalms/78-53.htm">Psalm 78:53</a>; 79:14; 80:1 - psalms which, if not David's, belong to the time, and were written under the influence, of David). It is a metaphor specially consecrated to us by our Lord's employment and endorsement of it (<a href="/john/10-11.htm">John 10:11-16</a>). <span class="cmt_word">I shall not want</span>. The Prayer-book Version brings out the full sense, "Therefore can I lack nothing" (comp. <a href="/deuteronomy/2-7.htm">Deuteronomy 2:7</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/8-9.htm">Deuteronomy 8:9</a>; and <a href="/matthew/6-31.htm">Matthew 6:31-33</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/23-1.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">A Psalm</span><br /><span class="heb">מִזְמ֥וֹר</span> <span class="translit">(miz·mō·wr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4210.htm">Strong's 4210: </a> </span><span class="str2">Instrumental music, a poem set to notes</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of David.</span><br /><span class="heb">לְדָוִ֑ד</span> <span class="translit">(lə·ḏā·wiḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1732.htm">Strong's 1732: </a> </span><span class="str2">David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse</span><br /><br /><span class="word">The LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is my shepherd;</span><br /><span class="heb">רֹ֝עִ֗י</span> <span class="translit">(rō·‘î)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7462.htm">Strong's 7462: </a> </span><span class="str2">To tend a, flock, pasture it, in, to graze, to rule, to associate with</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I shall not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֣א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">want.</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶחְסָֽר׃</span> <span class="translit">(’eḥ·sār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2637.htm">Strong's 2637: </a> </span><span class="str2">To lack, need, be lacking, decrease</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/23-1.htm">Psalm 23:1 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/23-1.htm">Psalm 23:1 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/23-1.htm">Psalm 23:1 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/23-1.htm">Psalm 23:1 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/23-1.htm">Psalm 23:1 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/23-1.htm">Psalm 23:1 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/23-1.htm">Psalm 23:1 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/23-1.htm">Psalm 23:1 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/23-1.htm">Psalm 23:1 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/23-1.htm">Psalm 23:1 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/23-1.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 23:1 A Psalm by David (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/22-31.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 22:31"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 22:31" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/23-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 23:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 23:2" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>