As the Deer Pants for the Water

Author: Marty Nystrom (1956-)
Meter: Irregular
Key: C
Scripture Reference(s) Psalm 42:1ff

1.
As The Deer Panteth For The Water,
So My Soul Longeth After Thee,
You Alone Are My Heart’s Desire,
And I Long To Worship Thee.

Refrain:
You Alone Are My Strength, My Shield,
To You Alone May My Spirit Yield,
You Alone Are My Heart’s Desire,
And I Long to Worship Thee.

Repeat:
As The Deer Panteth For The Water,
So My Soul Longeth After Thee,
You Alone Are My Heart’s Desire,
And I Long To Worship Thee.

Refrain:
You Alone Are My Strength, My Shield,
To You Alone May My Spirit Yield,
You Alone Are My Heart’s Desire,
And I Long to Worship Thee.

2.
You’re My Friend And You Are My Brother,
Even Though You Are A King,
I Love You More Than Any Other,
So Much More Than Anything.

Refrain:
You Alone Are My Strength, My Shield,
To You Alone May My Spirit Yield,
You Alone Are My Heart’s Desire,
And I Long To Worship You.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR AND THE SONG!

Martin J. Nystrom, a songwriter, was born in 1956. After graduating from Oral Roberts University, Nystrom worked as a music director for the New York branch of Christ for the Nations.

Martin “Marty” Nystrom wrote this hymn in 1984.

Although a deer can perceive the scent of water very far away, and the deer longs for water as fish loves water too, yet, a deer will not stop and drop its head to drink unless it feels perfectly safe.

God provides food for our body and soul and He also provides means of escape from what will harm us. These thoughts add a bit more meaning to Psalm 42:1ff.

Does our soul pant for God in the same way that a deer or dog that has been playing outside on a hot sunny day pants for a bowl of cold water?

Do we really long for fellowship with God? Or do we just take a sip as we pass by out of habit, rather than because we are really thirsty?

Deer, and dogs, do not need to be trained to pant — and they do not need to be trained to drink water. Thirst, and a knowledge of how to satisfy that thirst, comes naturally to them.

And, I would say, in following St. Augustine, that: “the thirst of our soul for God comes naturally to us as well.”

Everyone is searching for a way to have that thirst satisfied. Some seek to satisfy that thirst in healthy ways, others in unhealthy ways.

What this season of Lent teaches us is that there is only one true way to have our thirst for God satisfied.

As we tarry in God’s presence this Lenten season, we need to look back and look ahead. And as we thirst, we should not thirst as a people without hope.

In hope, our souls thirst for the living God. But, maybe for some of us, our souls are parched … dry …yearning for even a drop of water. And that is, at least in part, what this Lenten season prepares us to think about.

We look back and we look ahead. And as we do, we remember the future. We remember that what is promised will happen.

Lenten season is not just a time to deny ourselves of bodily pleasures, though, in part, it is indeed that. Lenten season is also a time to prepare us for that day when our thirst is finally, fully and completely, satisfied.

So, as we await the end of this Lenten season, let us look back and look ahead. And let us answer the call of our Lord Jesus Christ,

“Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink” (John 7:37).

Let us come and find our thirsts relieved as we drink from the well that will never leave us thirsty again.

Verse 3 reads:

“I Love You More Than Gold Or Silver,
Only You Can Satisfy.
You Alone Are The Real Joy Giver
And The Apple Of My Eye.”

SHALOM!

And you shall become, and remain a testimony in godly living, righteous integrity, honour, blessing, and be continually relevant in Christ Jesus. Amen.

I pray the same for you and our families, in Jesus’ Name.
AMEN

God’s Church is ONE… Preaching the same message!
You are saved: so…

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