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
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
You're my friend and You are my brother
Even though You are a King
And 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
You alone are my strength, my shield
To You alone may my spirit yield
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
And I long to worship Thee
And I long to worship Thee
And I long to worship Thee
What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
O precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow
No other fount I know
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
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.