Citipointe Worship - As The Deer / Nothing But The Blood Lyrics

As The Deer / Nothing But The Blood

As The Deer / Nothing But The Blood Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration

Citipointe Worship offered a reflective and powerful release on June 15, 2023, with their rendition of "As The Deer / Nothing But The Blood." This piece isn't just a performance; it's a thoughtful weaving together of two deeply resonant worship expressions, bridging generations of faith and focusing the heart on fundamental truths. By combining the timeless yearning captured in "As The Deer" with the profound reality of atonement in "Nothing But The Blood," they create a narrative arc within a single track that speaks to the Christian journey: beginning with the soul’s inherent need for God and culminating in the glorious provision made through Christ’s sacrifice.

The first movement, based on the beloved melody often associated with Psalm 42, immediately evokes a sense of deep spiritual longing. It paints a picture of desperate need, much like the psalmist crying out, "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God" (Psalm 42:1-2, NIV). This isn't a casual desire, but an intense, life-sustaining need for the presence and life that only God provides. It reminds us that apart from the Divine source, the soul is parched, seeking refreshment that the world cannot offer. It aligns with Jesus' promise of living water that satisfies completely, so that those who drink "will never thirst" (John 4:14). This initial section establishes our posture before God: dependent, seeking, and aware of our spiritual hunger.

Transitioning into "Nothing But The Blood," the song shifts from expressing the *need* to celebrating the *answer* to that need. This part draws on the classic hymn that centers entirely on the efficacy of Jesus' atoning sacrifice. It cuts straight to the core of the Gospel – that forgiveness, cleansing, and salvation come not from our own efforts, rituals, or merit, but solely through the blood shed by Jesus Christ on the cross. Scripture repeatedly affirms this truth: "without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness" (Hebrews 9:22), and we are "redeemed... with the precious blood of Christ" (1 Peter 1:18-19). It's the blood that "purifies us from all sin" (1 John 1:7) and through which we have "redemption, the forgiveness of sins" (Ephesians 1:7). This part of the song doesn't just state a doctrine; it invites reflection on the immense cost and complete sufficiency of that sacrifice.

The genius of combining these two pieces lies in the theological progression they represent. The spiritual thirst portrayed in "As The Deer" is not left unanswered; it is met definitively and completely by the reality celebrated in "Nothing But The Blood." The soul that longs for God finds reconciliation and access through the finished work of the cross. It’s a journey from recognizing our desperate need to celebrating the perfect provision. Musically, Citipointe Worship navigates this blend with reverence, likely starting with a more tender, yearning sound for the first section and building towards a more declarative, perhaps fuller expression of adoration for the second. The arrangement serves the message, allowing the weight of both the longing and the redemption to land fully on the heart. This track serves as an invitation to fellow believers: bring your deepest thirst to the One who provides living water, and find that provision flows directly from the sacrifice of His Son. It’s a powerful reminder that our access to God and our cleansing from sin is secured by nothing less than the precious blood of Jesus, leading us from desperate seeking to grateful, redeemed worship.