Since moving here to Wales I haven't joined a Church and I do miss it, so I always make a point of listening to 'Songs of Praise.'
This morning they sang, ' As the deer pants by the river....' and it tugs at my soul.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/1apHHJjRWgc?feature=share
Hope this plays; it was written by Martin J Nystrom in 1981, its based on Psalm 42:1 And has become a popular worship song in the Christian music genre. He wrote the song on a spiritual journey, specifically on a water only fast, which inspired the lyrics' and melody.
Martin was born in 1956 in Seattle, and at 24 years old he travelled to Dallas, as there was a girl there he really liked, but the relationship didn't work out and he lapsed in a state of despair.
A friend challenged him to take up the 'Water Only Fast,' so that he might reconnect with God. Nineteen days into the 'Fast,' he sat down at the piano, and the chords lead him to the melody; an open Bible on Psalm 42 lead him to the words and he started to fit them to the chords he was playing. So the first verse and chorus was written. At first he wanted to keep it as personal song, but a friend shared it with others and before long other verses had been written. When he travelled Korea to a Christian Conference, he witnessed 100.000 people singing the song at the conference. Verses 2 and 3 were written by Lydia Pederson, a member of the Canadian United Church hymnal.
I love it and the words sing in my soul when I hear and sing it.
Interesting how it came to be written.
Chrisxx
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