As the Deer,” a lovely worship hymn penned by Martin J. Nystrom, our brother in Christ, this one always resonated with me during my secondary school days at Geylang Methodist Secondary School. We must have belted this one out a hundred times! But beyond the nostalgia, this song is packed with meaning, so let’s see what it tells us about our faith.
- “As the Deer” expresses a deep thirst for God, like a deer panting for water.
- The song highlights the paradoxical intimacy we can have with God – our King and friend.
- True fulfillment comes from worshipping God, not material possessions.
Verse 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
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.
Verse 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
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.
Verse 3
I want 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.
Verse 1: A Desperate Thirst for God
A striking image is painted at the very first line. Envision a deer that is thirsty from the intense sun and is frantically looking for water. This is the type of thirst that the lyricist portrays. He asserts, “As the deer panteth for the water, So my soul longeth after Thee.” The same way a thirsty deer needs water, so too do our souls, the core of who we are, yearn for God. It serves as a potent reminder that all we actually need comes from God.
The final line of the lyric is a strong one: “My heart’s yearning is for you alone. And I yearn to honor You.” This is the song’s central theme. We are claiming that worshiping God is our highest goal and that He is all we really crave for.
Verse 2: A Paradoxical Intimacy
Verse 2 elaborates on this more, describing the wonderful relationship that we might have with God. The lyrics read, “You’re my Friend and You are my Brother, Even though You are a King.” Isn’t that amazing? The Almighty God, the all-powerful King of Kings, desires to be our brother and friend! That demonstrates His amazing love for us rather than lessening His majesty.
“I love You more than any other, So much more than anything,” the verse continues. The lyricist conveys the breadth of his love for God in this passage. It’s a love that is greater than anything else in the world, a love that endures beyond ephemeral joys and worldly goods.
Verse 3: True Fulfillment Beyond the Material
The final verse talks about where true fulfillment comes from. It reads, “I want You more than gold or silver, Only You can satisfy.” Although a lot of things in this world seem to promise satisfaction, only God is able to fully satisfy the deepest desires of our souls. The most valuable item in our existence, he is the “apple of our eye” and the “true joy-giver.”
The song concludes with the same stirring chorus, reminding us that God is our ultimate desire, our strength, and our protection.
The lovely song “As the Deer” serves as a wonderful reminder of our innate desire for God, the amazing connection He offers, and the genuine fulfillment that comes from worshiping Him. Let this song serve as a gentle reminder to each other to develop a closer relationship with God, to let Him be our rock and our refuge, and to discover our greatest joy in giving Him thanks.
“As the Deer” truly is a powerful song, and thanks for joining me in exploring its beautiful message.
Remember, this song is just one of many hymns and worship songs that can help us grow closer to God. If you enjoyed this breakdown, head over to our song breakdowns, where we delve into the meaning behind many other worship favorites. We can all learn and grow in our faith together!
Let’s keep seeking that deep connection with God, and may our worship be a constant source of strength and joy in our lives.
