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
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
Meaning & Inspiration
Shall Not Want draws its central confession from the image of the Lord as shepherd. The verses move through weakness, opposition, uncertainty, and death while returning to the assurance that divine goodness and mercy remain present. Images of a prepared table, overflowing cup, quiet waters, and a home in God’s presence closely echo Psalm 23. The repeated declaration of having everything needed presents trust not as the absence of hardship, but as confidence in God within the valley.
The later lines widen that hope beyond present trouble. The promise that tears will be wiped away and that life continues after death points toward the biblical hope of restoration. Praise phrases throughout the bridge answer fear with worship, while the final refrain emphasizes the pursuing care of goodness and mercy. Together, these elements make the song a prayerful statement of dependence on the Good Shepherd, whose presence supplies courage, provision, and lasting hope.
Related Scripture
- Psalm 23:1-6 The lyrics directly echo the shepherd, valley, table, overflowing cup, goodness, and mercy of this psalm.
- Psalm 121:1-2 The line about lifting the eyes to the source of help reflects this confession.
- Revelation 21:4 The promise that God will wipe away every tear echoes this vision of final restoration.