All my life long I had panted

NT325
1
All my life long I had panted
  For a draught from some cool spring,
That I hoped would quench the burning
  Of the thirst I felt within.
 
Hallelujah! I have found Him
Whom my soul so long has craved!
Jesus satisfies my longings;
  Through His life I now am saved.
2
Feeding on the husks around me,
  Till my strength was almost gone,
Longed my soul for something better,
  Only still to hunger on.
3
Poor I was, and sought for riches,
  Something that would satisfy,
But the dust I gathered round me
  Only mocked my soul's sad cry.
4
Well of water, ever springing,
  Bread of life, so rich and free,
Untold wealth that never faileth,
  My Redeemer is to me.
71
Matthew Hearne

Oklahoma City, OK, United States

I just found this hymn for the first time in my home meeting. I could not get through it without welling up. These lyrics remind me of just how horrible life was without Him being my head. Only then, did I "really" began to experience that He has chosen me. Hallelujah He has found us!


Marjeri

Philippines

I was refresh with this hymn. Indeed, He is the ONLY one that we need! :)


Steve Miller

Detroit, MI, United States

In brief answer to Matthew 3/2012, Greg 5/2013 and James 10/2013 on why "blood" was changed to "life": I am not a spokesperson for the editors of this hymn, but I am a long standing member of a church that uses this hymnal. I personally do not agree with the change, but I can understand it. The reason "blood" was changed to "life" is because there is no verse that explicitly says we are saved by His blood. Blood takes care of the negative things. His life adds the positive things. We need both to be saved.

Rom 5:9 says "being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him" - so we are saved from wrath by His blood. That is worth singing about. Rom 5:10 says that we are saved by His life, having been reconciled by His blood - so actually we are saved by both His blood and His life.

Since we need both His blood and His life to be saved, it is fine to say "saved through His blood" as well as "saved through His life". "Saved through His blood" is better in this song because it is a prerequisite to being saved through His life, and if you take "blood" away here, then neither the Lord's blood nor death is mentioned in the song. Abundant life is the result in the last verse.


James Sanford

Orange, Texas, United States

True, the blood is taken from many songs these days. Satan is definitely having a hay day on planet earth.


Sam

Iligan City, Lanao Del Norte, Philippines

Lord Jesus.... T_T


hn

Dear Greg, the change was made in reference to Romans 5:10: "...much more we will be saved in His life, having been reconciled".


Greg

Omaha, Nebraska, United States

I am puzzled that the word blood was exchanged with the word life, in the chorus. It is by the shedding of His blood I am saved.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Brother Greg


Annie Inventor

Philippines

A song that fills my spirit and meditate right then. Praise God for His faithfulness!


Matthew

Hey I just noticed that you substituted blood in the chorus for life

and I wanted to know why you felt the need to do that?

although it is true that we are currently being saved as we are being led to glory as He is not only the Author but the Finisher of our faith, but the song is more primarily speaking of the atonement which was wrought through His death by which our sins are forgiven. The blood is a very important doctrinal point which the apostles frequently refer back to in the epistles, namely Paul in Romans, the author of Hebrews, etc. I dont feel that it is necessary or appropriate to omit it.


Matthew

Love this song! brings back so many great memories. Been singing it since I was a child. Wonderful truth, the Lord truely does satisfy.

Ho everyone that thristeth come to the waters!