4/30 Through Psalm 23

I Shall Not Want
Psalm 23:1, "The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want."

The concluding statement of Psalm 23:1 is, so to speak, a “Declaration of Dependence”! In these words we begin to realize that the psalm set before us here is not merely poetical, but it is also practical. The aim of this psalm is not strictly to cause us to reflect upon Christ, but it is also to compel us to rely upon Christ.

You see, the words that are penned here call us to consider the Shepherding ministry of Jesus, and then they impress upon us how we are to trust our Great Shepherd with every facet of our life. This goal is set forth in the very opening verse. You see, David declares the SUBJECT of the psalm when he says, “The Lord is my Shepherd”, but he declares the OBJECT of the psalm when he professes, “I shall not want”. To teach us this complete confidence and contentment in Christ, this is the purpose of Psalm 23.

“I shall not want”! What a statement! To be able to make such a profession is an amazing thing. In fact, the first and most notable thing about these words is that they convey a straightforward statement that is without qualification. The psalmist does not say, “I shall not want peace”, nor does he say, “I shall not want provisions”; he simply says, “I shall not want”!

Think of the import of this dear friend! David is declaring that Christ is the full sum of his satisfaction! He is saying, “I shall not want” in ANYTHING, because “My Shepherd” is EVERYTHING! Think of the fullness of David’s testimony: first, he declares Christ is MY SAVIOR; second, he declares Christ is MY SHEPHERD; now, he declares Christ is MY SUFFICIENCY!

This phrase “I shall not want” is fascinating. It translates from the Hebrew word (chacer) meaning to decrease, to be lacking, or to have need. Thus, the psalmist is stating that because Christ is his sufficiency, he cannot decrease or lack or need, because all that he needs is found in the Lord, his Shepherd! But then, his statement goes still deeper. The Hebrew word is also rendered in the imperfect. This may have a number of implications, but in this particular case it marks a frequent and repeated action.

You see, the psalmist is not only stating that Christ has brought a present fullness to his soul, but he, by faith, is confident that Christ would be the source of perpetual fullness in his life. In other words, there is no season nor situation, no condition nor circumstance of life for which Jesus is inadequate. Christ is wholly sufficient in all things and for all things!

Think about the measure of the message that follows this statement of faith! He declares with full assurance, “I shall not want”! However, if we are to obtain a full appreciation for this statement, then we need to read further. When we read the fullness of the psalm in conjunction with this one phrase, the verses that follow will shed light upon the depth of what the words “I shall not want” truly mean.

He declares that Christ will be the source of his rest in the pleasantness of “green pastures” and by the quietness of the “still waters” (verse 2)! He proclaims that Christ will be the balm for his soul when it needs to be restored (verse 3a)! He says that Christ will be a faithful guide as he journeys down “the paths of righteousness” (verse 3b)! He announces that Christ will be a present help in the dark corridors of “the valley of the shadow of death” (verse 4a)! He boldly asserts that Christ will be the defender that ever guards him from both his foes and his flesh with the “rod and…staff” (verse 4b)! He happily professes that Christ will be the loving provider who “preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies” and who “annointest my head with oil” (verse 5a)!

Is it any wonder that when the psalmist meditates upon the Master, he can only express such fullness by crying out, “my cup runneth over” (verse 5b)? When he considers the fullness of the person of Christ and the richness of the provision of Christ, then he concludes that not only is Christ enough, but HE IS MORE THAN ENOUGH! Oh that we might enter with the psalmist into the blessings of such rest in Christ! Oh that we “May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:18-19)!

Do you lack peace dear friend? Ephesians 2:14 reminds us, “For he is our peace”! Do you seek to have joy? Psalm 16:11 proclaims, “Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore”! Is it strength that you need? Psalm 73:26 declares, “My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever”! Do you find yourself in a time of trouble? Psalm 46:1 assures us, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble”!

Do you see it? Jesus alone is the All-sufficient One! There is no question for which he is not the Answer! There is no burden for which he is not the Sustainer! There is no problem in which he is not the Solver! There is no need for which he is not the Provider! He is the reason that the psalmist is compelled to cry, “I shall not want”! He is the reason that the psalmist is able to say, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life” (Psalm 23:6)! Oh that it might be so for us as well! Oh that we might be able to lift our voice with David and say, “The Lord is my Shepherd; I SHALL NOT WANT”!