“As the deer” by Martin Nystrom is one of the most popular praise songs among Christians today. Its soothing melody presents a serene picture of a lone deer drinking water from a secluded creek, while its simple lyric draws us to an intimacy with our Lord that every Christian long for in his or her life. Indeed, “you alone is our strength my shield; and to you alone may my spirit yield”. Amen!
In reality, the psalm that inspired this song depicts a very different picture. “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God” (Ps 42:1). It actually describes a pretty desperate situation where “my tears have been my food day and night” (42:3), and the psalmist was pouring out his soul as he remembered the days he led the processing to the house of God (42:4). The deer was panting for the water, but the water was nowhere to be found. There was no serenity or peace. He asked himself “why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me?” (42:5). So far, the psalm shows an anxious follower of God. “When can I go and meet with God?” (42:2)
But the desperation did not turn into despair and bitterness. The mood was changed by that simple yet wonderful adverb “therefore”. “My soul is downcast within me, therefore I will remember you” (42:6). From the deep trouble he was experiencing, the psalmist called for the deep love the LORD had shown and would again show him. “Deep calls to deep” (42:7). What a beautiful picture! Instead of the serene picture of a deer drinking water from the creek, the psalmist delivers an overwhelming picture of him covered by “your waterfalls” and “your waves and breakers”. With the Lord on my side, whom shall I fear?
“Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” (42:11). The mood is totally changed from verse 5 now. It’s no longer a desperate shout from the depth of trouble, but a victorious roar from the depth of God’s love and protection. In this world, we shall have troubles. While we are in deep trouble, may we all remember the “panting”, the “therefore”, but, most importantly, the “deep calls to the deep”.
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