Terry MacAlmon - How We Need the River Lyrics

How We Need the River

How We Need the River Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration

Terry MacAlmon's song "How We Need the River" serves as a heartfelt expression of spiritual longing and dependence on God. The lyrics articulate a deep thirst for divine presence, drawing a parallel between the soul's need for God and a deer's desperate panting for water in a dry and arid landscape. This imagery immediately calls to mind the spiritual hunger described in passages like Psalm 42:1, where the psalmist yearns for the living God. The song speaks to a universal human condition – recognizing our inherent limitations and the necessity of God's intervention in a world that can feel spiritually parched.

The central theme revolves around the plea for God's "river" and "rain" – metaphors for the Holy Spirit, revival, and the life-giving power of God's presence. This resonates with numerous biblical references to living water, such as in John 4:10-14, where Jesus offers water that will become a spring welling up to eternal life, or Isaiah 44:3, promising to pour water on the thirsty land and streams on the dry ground. The song's chorus, "How we need the river, how we need the rain," is a corporate cry, acknowledging a collective need for spiritual refreshing, grace, and glory to "flow to us again." It is a prayer for God's presence to fill a specific place, whether a gathered congregation or the individual heart.

Further exploring the depth of relationship with God, the lyrics move from longing to a desire for intimate connection, stating "Deep calls unto deep." This phrase, found in Psalm 42:7, speaks to the profound mysteries of God and the soul's yearning to know Him more fully. The declaration "our hearts cry Abba Father" highlights the New Testament revelation of our adoption into God's family (Romans 8:15), emphasizing a relationship of close intimacy and trust. The prayer shifts focus to Jesus, asking for restoration through His love and grace, a fresh outpouring of mercy, and ultimately, for the whole earth to worship Him. The inclusion of "Jesus, free us to worship in Spirit & truth" directly echoes John 4:24, underscoring the importance of genuine, heartfelt worship enabled by the Holy Spirit. The final plea for healing and a revelation of God's power encapsulates the comprehensive need for His divine touch in every area of life.

The song video, released on May 10, 2013, provides a visual context for this worshipful expression. Terry MacAlmon's ministry is widely known for facilitating environments of intimate worship, prayer, and soaking in God's presence, often characterized by simple, scripturally rich lyrics focused on encountering God. While specific production details of this particular video are not included here, the song's message aligns perfectly with the focus of his work – leading believers into deeper relationship with the divine. The song serves as an invitation to listeners to join in this prayer, recognizing their own spiritual thirst and dependency, and to actively seek the refreshing and restorative power of God's presence in what can often feel like a "dry and weary land," reminiscent of Psalm 63:1. Through its earnest lyrics and focus on core biblical themes, "How We Need the River" inspires a renewed sense of hope and encourages a turning towards God as the ultimate source of satisfaction and life.