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The Lord's My Shepherd, I'll Not Want

The Lord's my shepherd, I'll not want

The Lord's My Shepherd, I'll Not Want is a hymn text by Isaac Watts (1719) in C.M. meter. Found in CW21 555, CW93 360, ELH 371, elw 801. Sung to BROTHER JAMES' AIR.

This hymn expresses Lutheran confidence in divine providence and pastoral care, drawing from the theological conviction that God's governance extends to all aspects of human life. The text affirms justification through faith by emphasizing trust in God's sufficiency rather than human merit, central to Lutheran soteriology.

History & Background

Isaac Watts published this metrical paraphrase of Psalm 23 in his 1719 collection 'The Psalms of David Imitated in the Language of the New Testament.' It became one of the most beloved English hymns and has been widely adopted in Lutheran hymnals since the 19th century.

Hymnal Appearances

  • Christian Worship: Hymnal — 555
  • Christian Worship — 360
  • Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary — 371
  • Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 801
  • Glory to God — 188
  • Lutheran Book of Worship — 451
  • Lutheran Service Book — 710
  • Lutheran Worship — 416
  • The Lutheran Hymnal — 436

Bulletin Note

Isaac Watts's 1719 paraphrase of Psalm 23 distills the Reformed theology of divine providence into haunting simplicity. Set to the Scottish tune 'Brother James' Air,' it became a touchstone for Lutheran and Reformed worship alike.

Preaching Connection

This hymn transforms the comfort of Psalm 23 into a confession of justifying grace: we are made whole not by our own provision or righteousness, but by resting entirely in the shepherd's sufficiency.

Stanza Arc

The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Divine provision (1-2) → Courage amid suffering (3) → Vindication and abundance (4) → Eternal security (5)

Background Research

AI-assisted draft This background note was researched with AI from published hymnal sources and has not yet been checked line by line. Please verify details such as dates before relying on them.

Psalm 23 from the Scottish Psalter, The Psalms of David in Meeter (Edinburgh: Evan Tyler, 1650), its most reprinted paraphrase. Francis Rous (English Puritan MP, Provost of Eton) produced a psalter in 1638, revised 1641 and 1643. A Westminster Assembly revision was approved by the Commons in 1646 but never by the Lords. From 1647 Church of Scotland committees reworked Rous using Mure's and Zachary Boyd's psalters, and Boyd's wording strongly shaped Ps 23. So it is committee work, and 'Rous' is shorthand. Tunes: CRIMOND, published 1872 under David Grant's name; in 1911 Anna Irvine said her sister Jessie Seymour Irvine composed it, which is still debated (Routley suggested crediting both). Hugh Roberton's Glasgow Orpheus Choir tied it to Ps 23. It was sung at the wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip on 20 November 1947. Also BROTHER JAMES' AIR (Bain, 1915) and BELMONT (Gardiner/Severn).

Sources: hymnologyarchive.com 'The Lord's my shepherd, I'll not want'.

In the Church Year

Suggested in the one-year series

  • Easter 3 (4×)
  • Trinity 15 (1×)

Suggested in the three-year series

  • Easter 4 (4×)
  • Proper 11 (2×)
  • Proper 23 (1×)

From LCMS Worship's published hymn suggestions, 2014–2026. The count is how many of those yearly lists suggested this hymn for that day.

AI-assisted draft These study notes were drafted with AI from the hymn text and have not yet been reviewed line by line. Treat them as a starting point and check them against the sources.

Overview

The Scottish metrical Psalm 23 from the Scottish Psalter of 1650, based on a version by Francis Rous revised by the Westminster Assembly and the Church of Scotland. It follows the psalm almost line by line: the Shepherd's provision of pasture and water (st. 1), restoration and right paths (st. 2), his presence in death's valley (st. 3), the table, oil and overflowing cup (st. 4), and goodness and mercy leading to God's house forever (st. 5). Lutheran tradition reads Psalm 23 Christologically (Christ the Good Shepherd, John 10) and sacramentally (water, table, cup, oil).

Central theme: Christ the Good Shepherd who provides, restores, accompanies through death, feeds and brings home

Structure

Five common-meter quatrains following Ps 23:1-6.

Law & Gospel Shape

Gospel throughout; 'death's dark vale' and 'foes' are met by the Shepherd's presence.

Confessional Connections

Christ the Good Shepherd (John 10). 'For His own name's sake' — salvation for God's glory, not our merit. The early Church read the water, table and cup of Ps 23 as Baptism and the Supper, a reading congenial to Lutheran sacramental theology. God's presence in death (AC XVII).

Liturgical Use (Study Notes)

Good Shepherd Sunday (Easter 3 historic / Easter 4); funerals; Communion; general.

Historical Notes

Rous (1579-1659), Puritan member of Parliament; the Scottish Psalter (1650) revised his version.

About the Tune

BELMONT (William Gardiner, 1812).

Scripture References

Ps 23 John 10:11, 14 Ezek 34:11-16 Rev 7:17 Ps 19:7 Isa 43:2 Matt 28:20 1 Cor 10:16 1 John 2:20, 27 Ps 27:4 John 14:2

Stanza by Stanza

1 The Lord's my Shepherd, I'll not want;…

The Lord is my shepherd; I will lack nothing; he makes me lie down in green pastures and leads me beside quiet waters.

Ps 23:1-2. Christ: 'I am the good shepherd' (John 10:11). 'I'll not want' — complete provision (Phil 4:19). Green pastures and quiet waters — the early Church saw Baptism's water and the nourishing Word.

Scripture
Ps 23:1-2, John 10:11, Ezek 34:14-15, Rev 7:17
Imagery & language
Shepherd; pastures; waters.
Law / Gospel
Gospel — provision.
Connection to previous
Ps 23:1-2.
Good Shepherd providence
2 My soul He doth restore again…

He restores my soul again and makes me walk in the paths of righteousness for his own name's sake.

Ps 23:3. Restoration — repentance and forgiveness (Ps 19:7; Ps 51:12). 'Paths of righteousness… for His own name's sake' — God acts for his own glory and promise, not our merit (Ezek 36:22).

Scripture
Ps 23:3, Ps 19:7, Ps 51:12, Ezek 36:22
Imagery & language
Restoration; paths.
Law / Gospel
Gospel — restoration for his name's sake.
Connection to previous
Ps 23:3.
restoration grace
3 Yea, tho' I walk in death's dark vale,…

Yes, though I walk through death's dark valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me, and your rod and staff still comfort me.

Ps 23:4. The shift from 'He' to 'Thou' at the valley — in danger the believer speaks directly to God. 'Thou art with me' (Isa 43:2; Matt 28:20). Rod (protection) and staff (guidance). The Shepherd has gone through death himself.

Scripture
Ps 23:4, Isa 43:2, Matt 28:20, Heb 2:14-15
Imagery & language
Dark vale; rod and staff.
Law / Gospel
Gospel — presence in death.
Connection to previous
Ps 23:4.
death presence of God comfort
4 My table Thou hast furnished…

You have furnished my table in front of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil, and my cup overflows.

Ps 23:5. The table, oil and overflowing cup — the early Church read these as the Supper, anointing (Baptism/Confirmation) and the cup of blessing (1 Cor 10:16). 'In presence of my foes' — the feast is given in the midst of conflict.

Scripture
Ps 23:5, 1 Cor 10:16, 1 John 2:20, 27, Ps 116:13
Imagery & language
Table; oil; cup.
Law / Gospel
Gospel — abundant provision.
Connection to previous
Ps 23:5.
Lord's Supper anointing abundance
5 Goodness and mercy, all my life,…

Goodness and mercy will surely follow me all my life, and my dwelling will be in God's house forever.

Ps 23:6. 'Follow' — pursue; God's mercy chases the believer. 'God's house forevermore' — the Church now and the Father's house eternally (Ps 27:4; John 14:2).

Scripture
Ps 23:6, Ps 27:4, John 14:2, Rev 21:3
Imagery & language
Pursuing mercy; house forever.
Law / Gospel
Gospel — mercy and eternal home.
Connection to previous
Ps 23:6.
mercy heaven Church

Themes

Divine protection and providence Trust in God's care Green pastures and still waters Comfort in affliction Assurance of salvation

Look Further