As Pants the Hart for Cooling Streams
As pants the hart for cooling streams
This hymn embodies Lutheran piety's emphasis on the Christian's deep longing for communion with God and the comfort found in divine presence during seasons of trial. The text reflects the Law-Gospel pattern by acknowledging spiritual thirst and distress while pointing ultimately to God's sustaining grace and hope.
History & Background
Nahum Tate's paraphrased version of Psalm 42 was published in his 1696 metrical psalter New Version of the Psalms. This became one of the most beloved English psalm paraphrases and has remained in continuous use in Lutheran hymnody for over three centuries.
Hymnal Appearances
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 452
- Lutheran Worship — 370
- New Century Hymnal — 493
- Trinity Hymnal — 189
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 525
Bulletin Note
Nahum Tate (1696) paraphrased Psalm 42 into this enduring hymn of longing. A text rooted in Protestant devotion, it expresses the Christian's hunger for God's Word and Sacrament during trial and spiritual thirst.
Preaching Connection
This hymn powerfully embodies the Law-Gospel pattern by voicing the soul's spiritual desolation and questioning before moving listeners toward confidence in God's sustaining grace and deliverance.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Law (conviction of sin and Christ's sacrifice) to Gospel (amazement at grace, personal response of self-surrender)
Themes
Thirst for God Spiritual longing Comfort in affliction Trust in God's care Encouragement in faith