Elevation Worship - Shall Not Want Lyrics

Shall Not Want

Shall Not Want Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration

Elevation Worship's song "Shall Not Want" is a powerful declaration of faith rooted deeply in the comforting assurance of God's provision and presence. The song opens with verses expressing vulnerability and need, posing questions like "Will You be my light, when I cannot see?" and "Will You carry me?" These lines paint a picture of human weakness and the challenges of life, including feeling lost, tired, and facing opposition. The plea for God to be strength and to provide even in the presence of enemies sets the stage for the profound trust that follows.

The central declaration, "I shall not want," immediately follows, serving as the anchor and resolution to the questions posed earlier. This core phrase, directly echoing Psalm 23, affirms a state of complete spiritual sufficiency and contentment found in God. The song explains this by stating, "Oh my soul's got a shepherd in the valley." This imagery of a shepherd guiding and protecting in difficult times ("the valley") explains why the singer will not lack anything essential. Furthermore, the line "'Cause my cup's running over" highlights the abundance of God's blessings, signifying not just enough, but overflowing provision, which further underscores the reason for not experiencing want.

The second verse continues to explore themes of resilience and perspective gained through faith. Lifting eyes to God for help signifies placing hope and dependence squarely on the divine. The line "I won't be afraid of the shadow 'cause I've seen the sun" beautifully illustrates how an understanding of God's light overcomes fear of darkness and difficulty. The verse concludes by emphasizing perseverance through hardship ("I will not stop, when the way gets hard"), finding purpose and presence ("'Cause the green only grows in the valley and that's where You are"), suggesting that growth and encounter with God often happen precisely in challenging circumstances.

The refrain reinforces the source of this deep satisfaction and freedom from want: "I got everything that I need, Your goodness and Your mercy." This highlights God's inherent nature as the ultimate provider. It is His active kindness and compassion that ensure all needs are met, not necessarily according to human desires, but according to divine wisdom and love. This goodness and mercy are presented as ever-present realities that sustain the believer.

The bridge section expands significantly on the Psalm 23 imagery, serving as a journey through the shepherd's care. It references being led "to the waters," being "anointed... with His oil," the cup "running over," not fearing "fear no evil," and the ultimate promise to "dwell in His house forever." These specific elements from the psalm are woven together with declarations of "goodness and mercy" and exclamations of "Hallelu, glory hallelujah," creating a rich tapestry of worship acknowledging the depth of God's care and faithfulness throughout life and into eternity. The repetition builds a powerful atmosphere of praise rooted in the truth of the scripture.

The final verse looks beyond the present life to the future hope promised to believers. "When this life is over, I'm gonna live again" speaks to the resurrection hope. "Gonna trade this cross for a crown" points to the promise of eternal reward after earthly suffering. The assurance of taking rest when God calls and the promise of a "mansion in glory" where God will meet the believer provide a sense of ultimate security and belonging. This eternal perspective further solidifies the declaration "I shall not want," extending it beyond earthly needs to encompass eternal well-being.

The concluding chorus and refrain summarize the song's message, reinforcing the truth that "He will wipe every tear from my eyes," emphasizing God's comforting presence and promise of being "home in His presence forever." The repeated assertion "I shall not want" is linked directly to God being the Shepherd, present in both abundance and lack, ultimately affirming that having God means having everything necessary. The final repetitions of the refrain, emphasizing God's "goodness and Your mercy is following me," beautifully encapsulate the constant pursuit and presence of God's favour throughout a believer's life journey. Released on May 13, 2021, the song serves as an uplifting anthem of trust, drawing timeless truths from scripture to inspire faith in God's unfailing provision and presence in all circumstances.