The cherished and beloved 23rd Psalm begins with both a statement and a promise.  The statement:  The Lord is my shepherd.  And the promise:  I shall not want.

It seems like the rest of the Psalm simply elaborates on this wonderful promise.  For example, I will not want for:

Food –  because I am made to “lie down in green pastures” (23:2)
Refreshment –  because “He leads me beside the still waters” (23:2)
Forgiveness and Renewal of Spirit –  because “He restores my soul” (23:3)
Direction and Guidance –  because “He leads me in the paths of righteousness” (23:3)
Fear of Failure and Death –  because “I will fear no evil in the valley of the shadow of death” (23:4)
His Presence, Acceptance –  because “You are with me” (23:4)
Comfort and Peace –  because “Your rod and Your staff they comfort me” (23:4)
Victory in the Face of Our Enemies –  because “You prepare a table before me in the presence of My enemies” (23:5)

Do you want to know more?  Then keep listening.

The following is a study on Psalm 23:1-2.

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