The Shepherd and His Sheep: Psalm 23:1b

Last week we began our series on The Shepherd and His Sheep from Psalm 23. We laid the foundation by asking: Who is the Shepherd? Who are the sheep? And what does the Shepherd do for the sheep?

Today we continue in verse 1 and focus on the second half:

“I shall not want.”

When David makes this statement, he does not separate it from the first part of the verse. He is not claiming that he has no lack because of his own skill as a shepherd, or his strength as a warrior, or his authority as a king. He says, “I shall not want” because of one thing:

“The Lord is my Shepherd.”

We can rest in that same security. Because Jehovah Rohi is ours and we are His, we can say with confidence: I shall not want.

1. The Shepherd Is Rich in Possessions

A shepherd must have something to offer his sheep. He must have:

• A place to house the sheep.

• Fields for grazing.

• Streams for watering.

• Tools for shearing.

• Remedies for doctoring.

• Care for birthing and raising lambs.

In the same way, our Shepherd lacks nothing.

“He owns the cattle on a thousand hills” (Psalm 50:10).
He owns the hills themselves. He owns the earth.
There is no resource beyond His reach.

Because our Shepherd is rich, His sheep are never without supply.

2. The Shepherd Is Wise in Administration

A shepherd was never just a man lying lazily in the grass. He was deeply involved with his sheep. He smelled like sheep. He knew each one.

• He led them to the best grazing places.

• He found still waters for them to drink.

• He counted them, noting births and deaths.

• He bound up the wounded.

• He managed the selling of wool and meat.

• He purchased feed and medicine.

A good shepherd had to be wise in administration.

And aren’t you glad our Shepherd is perfectly wise in His administration?

• He counts us all.

• He monitors us all.

• He makes decisions that affect us in the best way.

• He has a plan for our lives even before we are born.

He makes us lie down in green pastures. He leads us beside still waters. He restores. He prepares. He anoints.

This is not just some farmer in the field—this is our Shepherd, Jehovah Rohi, and He is wise in administration.

3. The Shepherd Defends the Sheep

A sheep cannot defend itself. It is weak, vulnerable, and helpless against predators. But with the Shepherd near, a sheep has nothing to fear.

So it is with us. Spiritually, we are defenseless apart from Him. But with our Shepherd’s rod and staff, we can say:

“I do not want for protection, for my Shepherd is near.”

What Does It Mean to Be in Want Spiritually?

For sheep, “want” is physical—they need food, water, and protection. But for people, spiritual want runs much deeper.

• Belshazzar (Daniel 5:27): He lifted himself up in pride against the Lord of heaven, and the hand of judgment wrote on the wall: “Thou art weighed in the balances and art found wanting.” That was our condition too before Christ—we were proud, guilty, and deserving of judgment. But the day we met the Shepherd, judgment was taken away and provision came in. Now, through Him, we are no longer found wanting.

• The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:14): He walked away from his father and wasted his inheritance. He ended up feeding pigs, enslaved, hungry, and destitute. Scripture says, “He began to be in want.” What a picture of life before the Shepherd! Lost, starving, and enslaved to sin—until the Shepherd came and provided.

Both Belshazzar and the prodigal show us what it means to be in want spiritually. And both remind us of the joy of being rescued by the Good Shepherd.

Closing Thought

Is He your Shepherd?

If He can do all of this—put us in green pastures, lead us beside still waters, rescue us from judgment, and provide for us in every way—what else could He do for you today?

What would you ask the Shepherd to do for you?

“The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.”