The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. (Psalm 23:1 – KJV)

This is the first sentence of the most known Psalm in the Bible, Psalm 23. That is such a powerful affirmation! However, the second part of the sentence is sometimes misunderstood.

Most often, people think that it says that the Lord will give them everything they want. They assume that if the psalmist says that they don’t want anything else, that is because they have everything they do want.

Notice that the subject of the second part of the sentence is “I”. “I” is the person doing the action, and the action is “not want”.

David, the author of Psalm 23, is actually saying that if the Lord is my shepherd, “I” don’t need anything else, so “I” won’t want it.

It is the realization that all I need is the Lord in my life. And if I have what I need, why should I want anything else?

Let’s take a look at the same sentence from other Bible translations:

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. (NIV 1984)

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. (NIV)

The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. (NLT)

The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need. (GNT)

God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing. (MSG)

Notice that in all sentences, the person that does the action in the second sentence is “I”, and by comparing the translations you see that the action that “I” have to do is to know that everything that I need I already have: the Lord.

David is showing us a change in our mindset. We should trust the Lord that He will provide for our needs, and not worry about it. We should be confident that our only need is now satisfied, which is the Lord in our lives.

Read once again this beautiful Psalm, in the beautiful NLT translation, and notice how David describes several situations that the Lord provides for him and protects him:

The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.
He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.
He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.
Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.
You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.
Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord (Psalm 23 – NLT)

Do you need water? He takes you to peaceful streams.

Do you need food? He prepares a feast for you.

Are you tired? He takes you to rest in green meadows and renew your strength.

Are you unsure what to do? He guides you along right paths.

Are you in danger? Don’t be afraid, He is right there close to you, He protects and comforts you.

Do you need to be loved? His goodness and unfailing love will pursue you (I love this!).

Are you unsure of the future? He invites you to live in His house forever, with Him.

Now, do you think you need anything else?