1. The Lord is my shepherd,/ I shall not want The shepherd stands guard among his sheep, his cloak extended out as if to protect them. Shepherds Abel and Lot flank the scene. The psalmist speaks of his personal relationship with God and expresses the two-part theme of the psalm, while assuming the metaphorical role of a sheep. The Lord is shepherd and king, an image introduced by the Old Testament prophets, and an allegory of the loving and trustworthy God who supplies all needs. The words echo God's shepherding care of the Israelites during their years in the wilderness, and looks forward to the Good Shepherd, a name Jesus chose for himself. The Syrian shepherd compares the opening words to the opening strain of a melody, its keynote running throughout the psalm, with the following verses as variations on those words. Flanking the base of the medallion is the title 'Psalm XXIII'. - The flanking shepherds are Abel (left) and Lot (right). Abel, the first shepherd, was killed by his brother Cain. Favored by God, Abel fell victim to Cain's jealousy. He bows his head before his savory sacrifice, deemed favorable by God. Lot, Abraham's nephew, bows his head in prayer as Sodom and Gomorrah are destroyed by God's wrath, Lot having been saved for his concern over the few righteous citizens in the burning towns.