Lyrics
Verse 1
The Lord’s my Shepherd, I’ll not want;
He makes me down to lie
In pastures green; He leadeth me
In pastures green; He leadeth me
The quiet waters by.
Verse 2
My soul He doth restore again,
And me to walk doth make
Within the paths of righteousness
Within the paths of righteousness
E’en for His own name’s sake.
Verse 3
Yea, though I walk in death’s dark vale,
Yet will I fear no ill;
For Thou art with me, and Thy rod
For Thou art with me, and Thy rod
And staff me comfort still.
Verse 4
My table Thou hast furnished
In presence of my foes;
My head Thou dost with oil anoint,
My head Thou dost with oil anoint
And my cup overflows.
Verse 5
Goodness and mercy all my life
Shall surely follow me,
And in God’s house forevermore
And in God’s house forevermore
My dwelling-place shall be.
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
The Lord's My Shepherd, I'll Not Want is a metrical setting of Psalm 23 in the style of a traditional hymn. Each stanza follows the psalm in order, beginning with the shepherd who supplies every need and leads the singer to green pastures and quiet waters. The restoring of the soul and the paths of righteousness are tied to the honor of God's own name.
The middle stanzas move into harder ground. The valley of death's shadow is faced without fear because the shepherd is present, and his rod and staff bring comfort. A table is then set in the presence of foes, with anointing oil and an overflowing cup. The closing stanza gathers the whole poem into the hope that goodness and mercy will follow all of life's days and that the dwelling place will be God's house forever. The words stay close to the psalm, so the song works as both a prayer and a memory aid for the text.
Related Scripture
- Psalm 23:1-3 The Lord is the shepherd who provides rest, restoration, and guidance.
- Psalm 23:4-5 God's presence brings comfort in the valley and provision before enemies.
- Psalm 23:6 Goodness and mercy follow the psalmist, who dwells in the Lord's house forever.