As the deer
Joel Engle Lyrics

The lyrics of Joel Engle's song As the Deer speaks of the deep longing and desire for the presence of God in one's life. The song is inspired by the imagery of a deer panting for water, much like how a soul longs for God's presence. The line "You alone are my heart's desire, and I long to worship Thee" emphasizes the sole focus on God and the yearning to worship Him. The subsequent lines "You're my Friend and You are my Brother...So much more than anything" depict the personal relationship with God and the deep love that surpasses any earthly possessions or relationships. The last stanza "I want You more than gold or silver...And the apple of my eye" underscores the incomparable worth of God's presence in one's life and how it satisfies the deepest longings of the soul.

One interesting fact about the song As the Deer is that it has been translated into various languages such as Spanish, Korean, and Chinese, among others. It has also been covered by numerous artists and used in various Christian worship settings. Additionally, it was listed by Christian Copyright Licensing International (CCLI) as one of the top 25 worship songs sung in the United States in the year 2020.

Another interesting fact is that the song was written by Martin Nystrom in 1984 and was initially published independently before being picked up by Integrity Music, an American-based record label, and publishing company specializing in Christian music. The song's popularity skyrocketed after being included in various worship albums produced by Integrity Music.

In terms of its musical arrangement, As the Deer is commonly played in a simple and meditative style, often with an acoustic guitar as the main instrument. The use of a repetitive melody and easy-to-sing lyrics also makes it a favorite among worship leaders and congregations.