As The Deer

Thirst is the starting image: "As the deer panteth for the water, so my soul longeth after Thee." Those words are Psalm 42:1 in the older English of the hymn, and Shane & Shane keep them untouched. The next lines state the one desire behind the thirst, "You alone are my heart's desire, and I long to worship Thee."

The chorus adds a second image from the psalms, "You alone are my strength, my shield, to You alone may my spirit yield." Strength and shield echo Psalm 28:7 and Psalm 18:2. Yielding is the response the singer chooses, and the verse repeats it as a prayer.

A short middle verse changes the tone: "You're my friend and You are my brother, even though You are a King, I love You more than any other, so much more than anything." The friendship language follows John 15:15, and it ties the royal title to something personal. The song ends by returning to the chorus and then a quiet final line, "Oh, I long to worship You." The lyric is brief and repeats the same two ideas.