Elevation Worship - Shall Not Want Lyrics
Lyrics
Verse 1
Will You be my light, when I cannot see?
When I can't take another step, Lord, would You carry me?
When I've lost my fight, will You be my strength?
Will You set me a table in the presence of my enemies?
Chorus
I shall not want, I shall not want
Oh my soul's got a shepherd in the valley and I shall not want
I shall not want, I shall not want
'Cause my cup's running over, running over and I shall not want
Verse 2
I will lift my eyes to where my help comes from
And I won't be afraid of the shadow 'cause I've seen the sun
No, I will not stop, when the way gets hard
'Causе the green only grows in the valley and that's whеre You are
Chorus
(Say)
I shall not want (No, no) I shall not want (Hey!)
Oh my soul's got a shepherd in the valley and I shall not want (Oh-oh-oh-oh)
I shall not want (Oh) I shall not want
('Cause my cup's running over)
'Cause my cup's running over, running over and I shall not want
Refrain
Oh yeah
I got everything that I need, Your goodness and Your mercy
I got everything that I need, Your goodness and Your mercy
Y'all say that
I got everything that I need, Your goodness and Your mercy
Say
Bridge
And I got goodness and I got mercy
Hallelu, glory hallelujah
I got goodness (Somebody say) and I got mercy
(Hallelu) Hallelu, (Glory) glory hallelujah
(Say it again, I got goodness) I got goodness (And I got mercy) and I got mercy
(Hallelu) Hallelu, glory hallelujah
(The Good Shepherd) The Good Shepherd
(Leads me to the waters) Leads me to the waters
3:03?
Hallelu (Halle, halle), glory hallelujah
And He anoints me (Hallelujah), anoints me with His oil
(Hallelu) Hallelu, glory hallelujah
(Now my cup is) Now my cup is
(Cup is running over) My cup is running over
(Hallelu) Hallelu, glory hallelujah
I won't fear, no, (Fear no) fear no evil
(Hallelu) Hallelu, glory hallelujah
(I will dwell) I will dwell in His house forever
(Hallelu) Hallelu, glory hallelujah
(Hallelujah) Hallelujah
(Can we all say?) Hallelujah
(Hallelu) Hallelu, (Oh yeah, oh yeah) glory hallelujah
(I got a new song to sing, say) Hallelujah
(I got a new song to sing) Hallelujah
(Hallelu) Hallelu, glory hallelujah
Verse 3
And when this life is over, I'm gonna live again
Gonna trade this cross for a crown, no, this is not the end
And when You call my name, I will take my rest
There's a mansion in glory and You're gonna meet me there
Chorus
I shall not want, I shall not want
He will wipe every tear from my eyes, I shall not want
I shall not want (He's on my side), I shall not want
I'll be home in His presence forever, I shall not want
For the Lord is my shepherd, in the valley
For the Lord is my shepherd, when I'm lacking
For the Lord is my shepherd and I shall not want
Refrain
I've got everything that I need, Your goodness and Your mercy
Is following me
Got everything that I (Hey, hey hey hey) need, Your goodness and Your mercy
Is following me
Got everything that I need (Yeah, yeah), Your goodness and Your mercy
Is following me
Got everything (Hey) that I need
(Your goodness and Your mercy) Your goodness and Your mercy
(Your mercy) Is following me
Got everything that I need
(Your goodness and Your mercy) Your goodness and Your mercy
Is following me
Got everything that I need
Video
Shall Not Want | Elevation Worship & Maverick City
Meaning & Inspiration
Released on May 13, 2021, by Elevation Worship and Maverick City, "Shall Not Want" arrives as a profound spiritual declaration, immediately inviting souls into a posture of peace and contentment rooted in divine provision. This song isn't merely a musical piece; it’s a living testament to an ancient promise, drawing its very essence from one of the most beloved passages in all of Scripture: Psalm 23. It articulates the believer's deep trust in a faithful God who oversees every aspect of life, transforming fear into faith and scarcity into abundance. The core message resonates with the timeless truth that when the Lord is our Shepherd, nothing essential is truly lacking, regardless of outward circumstances.
The song begins in a place of raw vulnerability, as Verse 1 poses poignant questions, "Will You be my light, when I cannot see? When I can't take another step, Lord, would You carry me?" These lines acknowledge the human condition of weakness, fear, and exhaustion, echoing sentiments found in passages like Isaiah 40:29, which promises renewed strength for the weary. It speaks to moments when one feels utterly spent, having "lost my fight," and seeks a divine Helper. The imagery of setting a "table in the presence of my enemies" is a direct and powerful quotation from Psalm 23:5, illustrating God's protective and honoring presence even amidst adversity, assuring protection and provision where danger might otherwise loom. This establishes the foundational need for a Shepherd who actively intervenes and sustains.
The Chorus then erupts with the central declaration: "I shall not want." This powerful phrase, the very first line of Psalm 23, is repeated as a confident affirmation. It is not an expression of human self-sufficiency, but rather a profound acknowledgment of God's complete provision. The presence of "a shepherd in the valley" reassures that even in dark, difficult seasons—metaphorically the "valley of the shadow of death" from Psalm 23:4—God’s guidance and care are unwavering. The declaration that "my cup's running over" further reinforces this theme of overflowing blessing, echoing Psalm 23:5, symbolizing not just sufficiency but super-abundance and joy in God’s presence, regardless of what the world offers or lacks. This speaks to the truth of Philippians 4:19, that "my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus."
Verse 2 shifts the perspective from asking for help to actively choosing faith and resilience. "I will lift my eyes to where my help comes from," a direct echo of Psalm 121:1-2, signifies a deliberate turning away from worldly anxieties and towards God as the ultimate source of strength. The resolve to "not be afraid of the shadow 'cause I've seen the sun" courageously confronts fear with the light of God's truth, transforming a potentially daunting path into one of faith. The song cleverly observes that "the green only grows in the valley and that's where You are," a profound spiritual insight. It suggests that growth, intimacy with God, and fruitfulness often emerge not from comfortable mountaintops but from challenging, barren "valleys" where dependence on the Shepherd becomes most acute, aligning with the idea that trials produce perseverance (James 1:2-4).
The Refrain beautifully condenses the essence of God's enduring care: "I got everything that I need, Your goodness and Your mercy." This is a direct testament to Psalm 23:6, which promises that "surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life." It’s a recognition that God's active benevolence and compassion are ever-present companions, not just during moments of crisis but in the fabric of daily existence. The Bridge then expands on this, becoming a vibrant worship interlude that elaborates on the blessings of the Good Shepherd. It recounts how He "leads me to the waters" (still waters of Psalm 23:2), "anoints me with His oil" (Psalm 23:5), and ensures that "my cup is running over." The repeated affirmation of "Hallelu, glory hallelujah" transforms these scriptural truths into exuberant praise, celebrating the complete security of not fearing evil and dwelling in His house forever, directly quoting Psalm 23:4 and 23:6.
Verse 3 then elevates the song to an eternal perspective, offering profound hope beyond the confines of earthly life. "When this life is over, I'm gonna live again" speaks to the Christian promise of resurrection and eternal life. The powerful image of "trade this cross for a crown" is a reference to the glorious reward awaiting those who faithfully endure, as promised in passages like Revelation 2:10 and 1 Peter 5:4. It underscores that present sufferings are temporary and lead to an enduring glory. The anticipation of a "mansion in glory" where God will meet us echoes Jesus' promise in John 14:2-3, providing a comforting vision of a future home and rest. This final verse ensures the song's scope is comprehensive, covering present provision, future hope, and eternal security.
The concluding Chorus and Refrain bring the message full circle, reinforcing the unwavering truth of "I shall not want." It connects this promise to the ultimate comfort of God wiping away every tear (Revelation 21:4) and the assurance of being "home in His presence forever." The powerful reiteration, "For the Lord is my shepherd, in the valley... when I'm lacking," anchors the song's entire message in the unwavering character of God. "Shall Not Want" is more than a catchy tune; it’s a robust theological declaration, a soothing balm for weary souls, and a vibrant anthem of trust. It inspires believers to fully embrace the sufficiency found in Christ, reminding them that through every season, every trial, and into eternity, the Good Shepherd ensures that His children truly shall not want for anything essential. It’s a testament to the enduring power of ancient scripture to speak into modern lives, fostering unwavering faith and profound peace.