Peniel Tambama - As The Deer Lyrics

As The Deer Video

As The Deer Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration

As the Deer: A Song of Longing for God's Presence

As the Deer is a well-known Christian worship song that has been sung in churches and worship gatherings around the world. The song was written by Martin Nystrom in 1984 and has since become a classic hymn of praise and adoration for God's presence. The song is based on Psalm 42:1, which says, "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God."



The Meaning of the Lyrics

The lyrics of As the Deer express a deep longing for God's presence. The opening lines of the song set the tone for the rest of the lyrics: "As the deer panteth for the water, so my soul longeth after thee." The image of a deer panting for water is a powerful metaphor for the human soul's desire for God's presence. Just as a deer cannot survive without water, our souls cannot thrive without God.

The next line of the song says, "You alone are my heart's desire, and I long to worship you." This line reinforces the idea that God is the only one who can satisfy our deepest longings. The song goes on to say, "You're my friend and you are my brother, even though you are a king of kings." This line highlights the intimate relationship we can have with God, who is both our friend and our king.

The chorus of the song repeats the phrase, "You alone are my strength, my shield, to you alone may my spirit yield." This line emphasizes the idea that God is our protector and our source of strength. We can trust in Him to guide us through difficult times and to give us the strength we need to face life's challenges.

The final line of the song says, "And I long to worship you." This line brings the song full circle, reminding us that our ultimate goal is to worship and glorify God in everything we do.

The Story Behind the Song

Martin Nystrom wrote As the Deer in 1984 while serving as a worship leader at a church in California. He was inspired by Psalm 42 and wanted to write a song that captured the psalmist's deep longing for God's presence.

In an interview, Nystrom said, "I was struck by the image of the deer panting for water, and I knew that was something that people could relate to. We all have a deep longing for something, and for Christians, that something is God's presence."

Nystrom wrote the song in just a few hours and debuted it at a worship service that same week. The song quickly became popular among the congregation and soon spread to other churches and worship gatherings.

Bible Verses Referenced in the Song

As mentioned earlier, As the Deer is based on Psalm 42:1, which says, "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God." This psalm is a beautiful expression of the psalmist's longing for God's presence. Throughout the psalm, the psalmist wrestles with feelings of despair and discouragement but ultimately finds hope in God's unfailing love.

Another Bible verse that the song references indirectly is Psalm 63:1, which says, "You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water." This verse also expresses a deep longing for God's presence and highlights the fact that our souls cannot survive without Him.

Practical Application

As the Deer is a song that can inspire us to seek God's presence more earnestly in our everyday lives. The song reminds us that God is the only one who can satisfy our deepest longings and that our ultimate goal is to worship and glorify Him.

One practical way to apply the message of this song is to spend more time in prayer and meditation. We can set aside specific times each day to sit in God's presence, read His Word, and reflect on His goodness. We can also make worship a regular part of our daily routine, whether that means singing hymns and songs of praise or simply expressing our gratitude to God for His blessings.

In addition to personal worship, we can also seek out opportunities to worship with other believers. Whether that means attending church services, joining a small group, or participating in a worship event, being around other Christians who share our passion for God can help us grow in our faith and deepen our relationship with Him.

Conclusion

As the Deer is a timeless worship song that has touched the hearts of countless Christians around the world. The lyrics of the song express a deep longing for God's presence and remind us that He alone is our source of strength and our heart's desire.

By meditating on the message of this song and making worship a regular part of our lives, we can draw closer to God and experience His love and grace in deeper ways. As we seek Him with all our hearts, we can trust that He will satisfy our deepest longings and guide us on the path of righteousness.