Welcome back to another post in our Heart of Worship Series. You can also check out my video post on this song at the bottom of the page.
Today we will be looking at the beautiful melody "As the Deer" by Martin Nystrom that was written in 1981. Honestly I thought this beautiful song was older. Anyway, Martin wrote this song during a time in his life when he was feeling so overwhelmed with all he had taken on in ministry. He was involved so many things at school combined with his academic studies were causing a lot of stress.
Martin's roommate encouraged and challenged him to fast to seek God and to try to recover his joy. On the 19th day of this fast, he was sitting at the piano trying to write a song when he noticed a Bible near by open to Psalm 42. He began to sing the message of the first verse and the song quickly flowed out.
He hadn't intended to sing the song publicly, but he ended up sharing the song with a friend at Christ of the Nations who in turn introduced it to others at the institute and it quickly became a favorite. Lydia Pederson later added to additional stanzas to create the song we have today and is sung around the world. (1)
Lyrics
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
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
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
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.
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
So naturally the song is backed up scripturally by Psalm 42:1-2, which says:
"As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?"
There are many verses about God being our shield, but here is one good one.
"The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge;
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." -Psalm 18:2
God is our strength.
"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." -Isaiah 41:10
Only God can truly satisfy and bring us a deep joy.
"You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." -Psalm 16:11
Connection
This song is a beautiful prayer that is filled with so much intimacy. It communicates our love for God when we sing and it also expresses God's love for us because He is our friend and He is our shield.
As Christians, our souls should long to be with God and spend time with him because He is like the refreshing water of the stream. He should be our heart's desire after all He has done for us - sending His son, working all things together for our good, shielding us from stuff we don't even know about, and so much more. This connection with God needs to be nurtured so you will feel that peace that He can provide. You can't find it in money, things, work, or other people. I have personally tried as have many others and it's short lived. Having God as a constant companion and helper though life truly satisfies.
Please take some time to listen to this beautiful melody and let it soak in. I like this version, but there are many out there and encourage you to find your favorite.
Well that's it for today. I hope this post helps you understand and connect to this song on a deeper level so when you sing it in church or wherever you are that you can focus more on lifting it up to God. Please like and subscribe for more posts just like this one and have a blessed day!
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