The Lord is the Shepherd I do not want… Psalm 23:1
Wait, what does that say? Maybe if we place some italics and a comma in there:
The Lord is The Shepherd, I do not want.
Well, that is a little closer to the idea as long as we take the normal pause after the comma. But, even if the pause and the comma help make the point of the verse, I did not find one single rendering or translation that has the word “do” in the verse. Somewhat without fail they all say “shall” not want.
Let’s take a quick of the definition of the word shall:
verb modal verb: shall
1.(in the first person) expressing the future tense.
2.expressing a strong assertion or intention.
3.expressing an instruction or command.
I like all of those and they all express the sentiment of the verse. David was meaning all of these meanings about the Good Shepherd. We will not want for our needs in the future because of the provision of The Shepherd. We will intentionally not do without what’s needed because we will look to The Shepherd for our needs. We will not remain in our needy situation because we have been told not to – at one point, Jesus Himself, said to cast all our cares on Him because He cares for us.
So, why would someone not want a shepherd? The only reason I can think of is that they don’t understand what it’s like to be the shepherd. You see, the shepherd is responsible for the protection of the sheep. He to be spotting in advance and fending off all attackers – what do we think that curved stick is for? The shepherd is to make sure the sheep are well fed and watered. This means planning the meal times – all of them. The shepherd is tasked with the direction and movement of the sheep – keeping them on the “straight and narrow.” When one gets lost or get in trouble, he must leave the 99 and go rescue the one. The “down-time” and recreation and rest time? All must be planned and managed by the shepherd. I think you get the idea. You might even ask, “Who’d want to be a shepherd or why?” I suppose one must love the sheep – at least a little. It is a business too. I get that. But that’s not what David is writing about here in the Psalms. Looks like maybe it’s not so bad to a sheep – when the shepherd is a good one…
David also observed in Psalm 100 verse 3 that we need to know that the Lord is God and it is he who made us, and we are His; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Take a quick read of John 10:1-18 for further encouragement.
I don’t mind being a sheep.
- Lord, help us to remember that being a follower is not always a bad thing.
- Lord, help us to give You our problems and troubles because You’ve asked us to.
- Lord, thanks for accepting me into Your flock!