Chandler Moore + Elevation Worship + Maverick City Music - Shall Not Want Lyrics
Lyrics
Will You be my light when I can't see
When I can't take another step
Lord would You carry me
When I lost my fight
Will You be my strength
Will You set me a table
in the presence of my enemies
I shall not want
I shall not want
Oh my soul's got a shephered in the valley
I shall not want
I shall not want
I shall not want
Cause my cup's runing over running over
I shall not want
I will lift my eyes
To where my help comes from
And I won't be afraid of the shadows
Cause I've seen the sun
No I will not stop
When the way gets hard
Cause the green only grows in the valley
And that's where You are
I shall not want
I shall not want
Oh my soul's got a shephered in the valley
I shall not want
I shall not want
I shall not want
Cause my cup's runing over running over
I shall not want
I've got everything that I need
Your goodness, Your mercy
I got goodness And I got mercy
Hallelu, glory hallelujah
The good shephered
Leads me to the waters
Hallelu, glory hallelujah
He anoints me, anoints me with his oil
Hallelu, glory hallelujah
My cup's runing over running over
I won't fear, fear no evil
Hallelu, glory hallelujah
I will dwell in his forever
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelu, glory hallelujah
When this life is over
I'm gonna live again
Gonna trade this cross
For a crown for it's not the end
When You call my name
I will take my rest
There's a mansion in glory
And You're gonna meet me there
I shall not want
I shall not want
He will wipe every tear from your eye
And you shall not want
For the Lord is my shepherd
I shall not want
Video
Shall Not Want | Elevation Worship & Maverick City
Meaning & Inspiration
"Shall Not Want," a profound collaboration featuring Chandler Moore, Elevation Worship, and Maverick City Music, arrived on April 30, 2021, as a significant track from their highly anticipated album, *Old Church Basement*. This song isn't just a musical offering; it’s a modern-day anthem of trust, drawing deep from one of Scripture’s most cherished passages, Psalm 23. Its release during a period of global uncertainty made its message of divine provision and unwavering care resonate with a particular urgency, reminding listeners that even in the midst of trials, God remains our ultimate source and protector.
The song’s core message is an expansive meditation on the declaration "I shall not want." It begins with a raw, honest plea for help, acknowledging moments when human strength fails: "Will You be my light when I can't see / When I can't take another step / Lord would You carry me." This initial vulnerability immediately connects with our shared experience of weakness and doubt, echoing verses like Isaiah 46:4, where God promises to carry us even to old age. The plea continues, asking for strength when our fight is lost, and then powerfully invokes the image from Psalm 23:5: "Will You set me a table in the presence of my enemies." This isn't just about survival; it's about being honored and sustained by God even when surrounded by opposition, a testament to His sovereign power and unwavering faithfulness to His children.
The recurring refrain, "I shall not want," serves as a spiritual anchor throughout the piece. This isn't a wish or a hope, but a declaration rooted in the complete sufficiency of God, as articulated in Psalm 23:1: "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." It signifies a deep contentment that transcends circumstance, understanding that with God as our Shepherd, all true needs are met. The lyrics beautifully expand on this, stating, "Oh my soul's got a shepherd in the valley," directly referencing Psalm 23:4, which speaks of walking through the "valley of the shadow of death" without fear because the Shepherd is present. This emphasizes that God's guidance isn't just for the mountaintops but is especially vital and tangible during our most challenging periods. The powerful affirmation "Cause my cup's running over" further reinforces this truth, reflecting the overflowing blessings and abundant life promised in Psalm 23:5 and John 10:10.
The song then shifts from pleading to a declaration of resolute faith and perspective. "I will lift my eyes to where my help comes from" is a direct echo of Psalm 121:1-2, a powerful reminder to fix our gaze on God rather than on our immediate troubles. This act of spiritual redirection empowers the subsequent declaration: "And I won't be afraid of the shadows / Cause I've seen the sun." This line beautifully illustrates how a past experience of God's light and faithfulness illuminates present darkness, giving courage and dispelling fear, much like Psalm 27:1 declares, "The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?" The commitment to perseverance is equally strong: "No I will not stop / When the way gets hard / Cause the green only grows in the valley / And that's where You are." This is a profoundly inspiring twist, suggesting that growth, resilience, and a deeper intimacy with God are often cultivated precisely in the difficult, "valley" seasons, echoing James 1:2-4 which speaks of joy in trials for the strengthening of faith.
As the song progresses, it becomes a litany of God's goodness and mercy. "I've got everything that I need / Your goodness, Your mercy," proclaims a heart fully satisfied by divine attributes, drawing directly from Psalm 23:6, which states that "goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life." The subsequent lines expand on the Shepherd metaphor with rich biblical imagery: "The good shepherd leads me to the waters... He anoints me... My cup's running over." These are direct allusions to the restorative and protective aspects of God's care found throughout Psalm 23, from leading to still waters to anointing with oil, signifying healing and consecration. The confident declaration, "I won't fear, fear no evil / I will dwell in his forever," brings a comforting certainty, reaffirming the protection promised in Hebrews 13:5-6 and the eternal dwelling in God's house.
Finally, "Shall Not Want" transcends earthly provisions to embrace the ultimate hope of the believer. "When this life is over / I'm gonna live again / Gonna trade this cross / For a crown for it's not the end." This segment powerfully articulates the Christian promise of resurrection and eternal life, transforming present suffering into future glory, as seen in 2 Timothy 4:7-8 and Revelation 21:4. The assurance of a "mansion in glory" and God meeting us there directly reflects John 14:2-3, offering a deeply personal and comforting vision of eternity. The concluding promises, "He will wipe every tear from your eye / And you shall not want / For the Lord is my shepherd / I shall not want," offer a tender and encompassing summary of God's complete care, from present comfort to eternal solace, leaving the soul settled in the profound truth of His unending love and provision. This review highlights how the song is a profound journey through faith, suffering, and eternal hope, all anchored in the enduring truth of Psalm 23.