As Pants the Hart for Cooling Streams

As Pants the Hart for Cooling Streams is a hymn text by Nahum Tate (1696) in C.M. meter. Found in lbw 452, lw 370, nch 493, th 189. Sung to MARTYRDOM.

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)

Overview

From Tate and Brady's 'New Version' of the Psalms (1696), Psalm 42. As the hunted deer pants for streams, my soul longs for God's refreshing grace (st. 1); my thirsty soul pines — when shall I see your face? (st. 2); why restless, why cast down? Hope still, and you will praise him, your health's eternal Spring (st. 3); Gloria Patri (st. 4).

Central theme: The soul's thirst for God, answered by hope in him who is its health and salvation

Structure

Four common-meter quatrains: longing (1) — thirst (2) — self-address and hope (3) — doxology (4).

Law & Gospel Shape

Law/lament: 'restless… cast down' (3). Gospel: 'refreshing grace'; 'Hope still'; 'thy health's eternal Spring' (1, 3).

Confessional Connections

Ps 42 (TLH's text). The longing for God is itself his gift (FC II); it is satisfied by 'refreshing grace' (st. 1) — the living water Christ gives (John 4:14; 7:37) through Word and Sacrament. St. 3 models Lutheran self-counsel in Anfechtung: the soul preaches to itself the promise ('Hope still') rather than trusting its feelings (Ps 42:5). 'Thy health's eternal Spring' — 'the help [salvation] of my countenance' (Ps 42:11, KJV).

Liturgical Use (Study Notes)

Lent; Fourth Sunday in Lent (Judica); affliction; Baptism.

Historical Notes

Tate (1652-1715), Poet Laureate, and Brady (1659-1726) published the New Version of the Psalms in 1696.

About the Tune

SPOHR (Louis Spohr, 1835, arranged).

Scripture References

Ps 42:1-11 Ps 63:1 John 4:14 John 7:37 Rev 22:4 Rom 15:13 Ps 43:5

Stanza by Stanza

Themes

Thirst for God Spiritual longing Comfort in affliction Trust in God's care Encouragement in faith

Look Further

• Search Hymnary.org for "As Pants the Hart for Cooling Streams" ↗
• Search IMSLP for public-domain scores of "MARTYRDOM" ↗