Excellent Song

This morning, we sang the classic praise and worship song "As the Deer" by Martin Nystrom based on Psalm 42. As the choir rehearsed it, I thought about what has given it its lasting appeal and its place in the canon of worship music.

And that is that it is an excellently written song. The tune does exactly what the words say, but in the best tradition of Handel, it does so without becoming silly. In fact, it's quite possible to listen to the piece over and over without being distracted by the text painting. But I think it makes the song more deeply meaningful.

The word "panteth" or "pants" is split between two quick notes that suggest the urgency of panting.

The two things longed for - "water" and "heart's desire" - are set with the longing gesture of an appogiatura. The appogiatura on "water" might also be heard as part of a wave that encompasses the words "for the water so my."

Next, perhaps the most important word in the line - the real topic of the song - "soul" - appears on the highest note of the phrase.

The following phrase ends "and I long to worship you." Here, the music bows down with the words.

In the third phrase, one note insistently repeated perfectly sets the words "You alone."

Then, at "spirit yield" the music also yields before it turns back to the tune and tonality of the first phrase.