Composed by James Montgomery, this metrical paraphrase of Psalm 42 was first published in his Songs of Zion (1822) in four stanzas of six lines, and was later included across various editions of his collected Poetical Works. The hymn presents a thoughtful reflection on spiritual longing, comparing the Christian soul's desire for God to a thirsty deer searching for streams of water. While the hymn achieved only limited popularity in Great Britain, it found broader acceptance in American worship, being adopted into prominent nineteenth-century collections such as Songs for the Sanctuary (1865). It was also included in Unitarian hymnody through James Martineau's collections, Hymns for the Christian Church and Home (1840) and Hymns of Praise and Prayer (1873).
Related Hymns
Hymns in the library connected to this dictionary topic.
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The Lord Is My Shepherd
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Angels from the Realms of Glory
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According To Thy Gracious Word
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In the Hour of Trial
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Go to Dark Gethsemane
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Come, let us sing the song of songs
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Hail To The Lord’s Anointed
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At Home In Heaven
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