Psalm 23 | I Shall Not Want

Scripture: Psalms 23:1-6

I received my first copy of Phillip Keller’s A Shepherd’s Look at Psalm 23 as a high school graduate. If I’m being transparent, I was grateful but this wasn’t the type of grad gift I was hoping for. I needed bath towels, fun decor for my college dorm room, even spending money! It wasn’t until I got a month or two into my new season as a college student and began to scramble for anything that God could steady me with that I realized the value of this beautifully simple, yet complex, perspective on the famous writings of psalmist David. 

As we begin our journey through Psalm 23, I want to remind you that this is a safe place. And when you find some quiet moments along the way, I want to encourage you to read Psalms 23 and require yourself to stop, Selah, after every verse or two. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal something fresh to you…something fresh that is just for you. Throughout this series, I hope you’ll be reminded of how cared for our Good Shepherd truly wants you to feel on the regular. 

When David wrote this psalm, he wasn’t relishing in abundance, propping his feet up in the palace. David was truly in the valley of the shadow of death – it’s possible there was a death warrant on his head, and if so, it was from his son. His spirit was low. Yet, he spoke of peace in the valley because he knew the Good Shepherd. 

Perhaps you’re not facing a death warrant today, but it’s possible that circumstances, people you love, those you work with, people you used to love make you want to run for the cave yourself! It is in these moments where we must discover, or re-discover, the closeness of the One who will never leave us nor forsake us (Deut 31:6). 

Let’s start today by just reading through Psalm 23. Read all six verses, one by one, perhaps in a different translation or paraphrase than you typically use. Don’t rush. Breathe deeply as you read each verse—if possible, out loud. While you may not feel as confident as David did on the day he penned these beautiful verses, allow yourself to believe them again. Soon enough, I believe you’ll embrace his sentiments for yourself and recognize: this psalm isn’t just for funeral services or framed art at Grandma’s house. This is for my daily living

Scriptures: Psalms 23:1-6, Philippians 4:10-19

Let’s take just a few moments here and read this psalm from the Amplified translation, beginning in Verse 1. 

“The Lord is my Shepherd [to feed, to guide and to shield me], I shall not want.” 

I love that. It’s declarative: I SHALL not want. Decisive. Determined. It reminds me visually of when we go out to a restaurant or a theme park with our daughters. It doesn’t cross their minds that they’ll be paying for the tab. They decide what they want and, at our invitation, order the food and drink items that will refresh them. I highly doubt they look at the menu price when we are paying. They simply know, “I’m here with Daddy. And he always takes care of me. I’m good.” 

The Message paraphrase says this verse like this: “God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing.“ 

The key? Deciding who is in charge. Who is looking after you? Yourself? Your spouse? Your boss? Your family? NO—the rest comes with the awareness that God is your Shepherd. He is the overseer, the provider, the caregiver, the protector. THE LORD is MY shepherd. 

Dig a Little Deeper:

Require yourself to consider who or what is truly in charge of your life. Stop here for a moment and take a personal survey, looking back over the past few weeks, months, or even the past year. If you are in charge, or any other human or man-made entity is in charge of your life, you have cause for concern. But if the Lord is guiding your life, you can rest easy. He has the ultimate vantage point and possesses the power and wisdom to supply all of your needs.

Scriptures: Psalms 23:1-6, Psalms 73:1-28

Verse 2. “He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still and quiet waters.” [AMP] 

‭‭Why do we resist rest so much when God is continually making it available? We feel guilty. Culturally, western society applauds over-working and frowns upon those who have established rhythms of rest. We are often imbalanced, either running our lives into overdrive, or over-indulging in laziness. But David was reminding himself that, even though he was burdened down with the weight of his kingdom responsibilities, family issues, and personal internal struggles, God wanted him to rest and refuel. 

In this sacred moment, David was essentially letting it all go and letting God do something supernatural in him. It was a restorative season of “what kingdom responsibilities?”, “what family issues?”, “who has abandoned me?” The lushness of green pastures, the stillness and quietness of the nearby waters represented God’s provision—not just to get him by, but to blissfully, abundantly restore him. 

Even as you read this, you may find yourself resentful of anyone who has been able to discover such peace or restfulness. You wrestle with the desire to simply abide and relish God’s presence and provision and the indulgence found in accomplishing more, building your own kingdom, or even proving you can stick it out in the face of challenges. Or it’s quite possible that you have never learned how to truly rest. Even when you take time off from work you don’t truly rest in God’s care. Your heart feels anxious. You may feel like the world may stop spinning because you pulled away for a few hours or a few days. 

He leads us there…if we will let Him. 

The example David provided for us should remind us that, not only does the Good Shepherd let us lie down in lush, well-watered pasture that is loaded with soul-replenishing nutrients, but He leads us to the deep, still, quiet waters. It isn’t as though we have to plead for this privilege. He leads us there…if we will let Him. 

Dig a Little Deeper:

1. Take a few moments and think back on a time you truly felt refreshed and at peace. What were your surroundings? What did you have to walk away from or let go in order to accomplish such an experience? What was missing in that environment? What was added to create it? 

2. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal anything in your life that prevents your trusting the Good Shepherd to lead you to still and quiet waters–spiritually, mentally, emotionally, physically. Repent for those obstacles and ask Him to teach you how to let them go and truly trust His lead.

Scriptures: Psalms 23:1-6, Matthew 25:14-30

Verse 3. “He refreshes and restores my soul (life); He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” [AMP] 

The Message paraphrase says it plainly like this: 

“True to Your word, You let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction.” [MSG] 

Your being refreshed and restored actually will bring glory to God’s name! Let me take it a little out there to remind you that your being exhausted, depleted, bogged down, and broken isn’t great branding for His Kingdom. His representatives should look cared for, replenished, energized, preserved, abundantly provided for. 

…your being exhausted, depleted, bogged down, and broken isn’t great branding for His Kingdom. 

Every mother who has sent her child to kids’ camp understands this visual. You pack all the clean clothes [sometimes the overachievers even go to the trouble of prepping each day’s outfit in its own gallon plastic bag, labeled for use]. You give the child the tutorial on what to wear each day, where to put the dirty clothes after they’ve been worn, when to take a shower, how often to brush his teeth. And then your child comes home with only a handful of clothing items actually soiled. In your head, you then visualize all the other campers and staff considering how sorry of a mother you are, your child wearing the same disgusting outfit, day after day. Poor representation of your provision, right!? 

Your provision looks good on your Shepherd. He’s a Good Shepherd. A faithfulShepherd. A good shepherd of sheep knows that a well-rested, well-fed sheep produces better wool, births healthy ewes to grow his flock, sells better at the market. And so it is with you and me. When we are well-rested, well-fed in every area of our lives, we represent our Shepherd better. We love more freely. We grow deeper spiritually. We reach the lost and disciple them more efficiently. And we are far more likely to finish life’s race to earn His approval, “Well done, My good and faithful servant.” 

Dig a Little Deeper: 

1. How have you shunned God’s provision of rest, resources, or renewal in your personal life? 

2. If you’re leading a family, how can you better model rest and refreshing in the care of your Shepherd?

Scriptures: Psalms 23:1-6, Psalms 37:23-40

Verse 4. “Even though I walk through the [sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort and console me.” [AMP] 

In the shadows, what is just ahead is not predictable. Sometimes you can’t even discern what tomorrow may hold. You find yourself resting in the routine until something jars you and you aren’t sure what, or whom, you can actually‭‭ trust. 

“If this happened, then who’s to say that won’t happen.” 

But it’s in these moments that our faithful, steady Shepherd swoops in with His faithful, trusty shepherd’s crook and gently, but firmly guides. This verse says it comforts and consoles. It’s not cushy or bubble-wrapped. But it’s steady. It’s consistent. It’s trustable. 

Following the Good Shepherd’s lead isn’t always comfortable because He sees things we don’t see. This often leads Him to lead us in a path we can’t see with the natural eye, or from our finite vantage point. 

Have you ever tried to walk in a strange room with little or no light in it? What do you do? You walk more slowly, using caution with every single (smaller) step so you don’t run into anything, break a toe, or fall over an obstacle you could not see in front of you. But if you have someone you trust who is in the same room and knows the path a little better, you’re likely move a little more swiftly and confidently, knowing they’re likely to run into the obstacles before you. Regardless of what happens, you’re in this together. 

So it is when you’re following the lead of your Heavenly Father by way of the Holy Spirit. He guides you through the reading of His Word, through gentle nudges in your spirit, by stopping to pray and listen to His voice, and by wise counsel from Spirit-led guides in your life. In this way you are kept safe, even if it wasn’t your preferred route. Through His care, you are comforted and strengthened, realizing it isn’t all up to you. You aren’t alone in this sunless valley. You can know that the view from above trumps your view from below. 

Dig a Little Deeper: 

1. Let your mind journey back to a time when you truly felt alone, walking in a sunless valley of life. Was it the shadow of actual death? Or perhaps the death of a dream you’d held for a long time? How did that feel? 

2. If you allowed the Good Shepherd to guide you through it, how did you know to trust His lead? How did you know what He was leading you to do, or where He was taking you? 

3. If you did not allow the Good Shepherd to guide you through it, how would things have been different, now that you’re on the outside looking in? What choices would you have made to trust Him more?

Scriptures: Psalms 23:1-6, Psalms 84:1-12

Verse 5. “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You have anointed and refreshed my head with oil; My cup overflows.” [AMP] 

This is the beautiful experience of serving an Almighty God who cares for the needs of His children. Resting in God’s presence, provision, and protection is the six-course dining experience that your Good Shepherd has prepared for you in the presence of your enemies. Your enemies may not have faces right now. But it’s possible that your enemies look a lot like a non-stop, won’t-quit, no-mercy family, work, and church calendar. Your enemy may look like a husband that wants to keep loading up your life’s plate because he’s driven and he needs your help. Your enemy may look like a total depletion of your health, or looking in the mirror at a face you don’t recognize anymore. Your enemy may be a loveless marriage, an empty house, or disappointment in your family life. But in the presence of your enemies, <deep breath>, come to His table. 

“You have anointed and refreshed my head with oil”. 

This was a customary practice in biblical times, to offer the guest some scent-infused olive oil to refresh themselves after a long day of travel through the dusty, dry, desert-like conditions. It provided moisture for their dry skin and perhaps a little fragrance to improve their body’s scent. The abundance of refreshing water overflowing their cup to drink and bath in was the ultimate welcome mat. 

The feast that God prepares for each of us as we “pull up a chair” at the table He provides is worthy of intentional setting aside of our time to indulge. The enemies fade into the background. His abundance overflows as we allow His Spirit to refresh our hearts, restore our souls, reset our minds. Physically, we begin to breathe more deeply in the depth of His presence as we seek His face and pour out our hearts to Him in worship and prayer. 

It is only as we empty out ourselves that we make room for more of Him. This is the pinnacle of His refreshing provision. 

Dig a Little Deeper: 

1. When’s the last time you stopped long enough in your daily routine to “pull up to the table” that your Shepherd has prepared for you? What does that look like for you, practically speaking? 

2. Who or what are your enemies in your life right now? Do they have faces? Is it possible for you to seek the face of God and allow their “faces” to become less apparent? 

3. Allow time to experience overflow in your Table Time with the Lord at least once this week. As you read through Psalm 23 again today, pause after each verse and meditate on its value for today’s needs and demands.

Scriptures: Psalms 23:1-6, Luke 11:1-4

Verse 6. “Surely goodness and mercy and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, And I shall dwell forever [throughout all my days] in the house and in the presence of the Lord.” [AMP] 

Throughout all my days…isn’t that a beautiful thought that we can pause and relish in? It’s the type of daily life that the Good Shepherd has plotted out for each of His sheep…if we will listen to His voice and rest in His faithful, steady, and even, at times, cumbersome care. 

This is the type of eternal provision that no other source can or will provide. The Shepherd is out front–leading, protecting, restoring, providing, redirecting. And His goodness, mercy, and unfailing love are bringing up the rear. Goodness before you, goodness behind you. 

Surely. David was so convinced of his Shepherd’s care that he just knew, beyond all doubt, that God could provide all of this for his present, and for his future…for all of time. 

Trusting the Good Shepherd with your here-and-now is only the dress rehearsal for the grand affair, which is all of eternity shared with Him! Forever, that’s a concept we cannot wrap our human minds around. But recall how Jesus taught His disciples to pray in Luke 11:2 (NKJV): 

So He said to them, “When you pray, say:
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven. 

When we relish in God’s provision, His way of life for us, we are essentially living in the way that makes room for heavenly principles–the way life is and will be when we make Heaven our eternal residence. 

All of this is for your benefit, dear child of God. When He formed you in your mother’s womb, He designed, or outfitted, you for this path, to live in this manner. 

“God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing.“ [Psalm 23:1 MSG] 

“The Lord is my Shepherd [to feed, to guide and to shield me], I shall not want.”[Psalm 23:1 AMP] 

When He is leading the way, you don’t need a thing. 

Dig a Little Deeper: 

1. What would life look like for you if you allowed God’s model for eternity to intersect with your here-and-now? 

2. Take a few moments today to pray specifically according to Jesus’s model prayer in Luke 11. Place your specific burdens into the prayer. For example, “Let Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, in this situation at my workplace, as it is in Heaven.” 

3. Ask the Holy Spirit what needs to be removed from your daily, weekly, or monthly schedule in order to allow more Table Time where you dine on His finest of provision. You’ll find the exchange is undoubtedly an upgrade for your personal walk with Him and quality of life.