As the Deer

[Psalms 42:1] For the Chief Musician. A contemplation by the sons of Korah. As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants after you, God. [Psalms 42:2] My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? [Psalms 42:3] My tears have been my food day and night, while they continually ask me, “Where is your God?” [Psalms 42:4] These things I remember, and pour out my soul within me, how I used to go with the crowd, and led them to God’s house, with the voice of joy and praise, a multitude keeping a holy day.

[John 15:11] I have spoken these things to you, that my joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be made full. [John 15:12] “This is my commandment, that you love one another, even as I have loved you. [John 15:13] Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. [John 15:14] You are my friends if you do whatever I command you. [John 15:15] No longer do I call you servants, for the servant doesn’t know what his lord does. But I have called you friends, for everything that I heard from my Father, I have made known to you. [John 15:16] You didn’t choose me, but I chose you and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain; that whatever you will ask of the Father in my name, he may give it to you. [John 15:17] “I command these things to you, that you may love one another.

[Hebrews 2:9] But we see him who has been made a little lower than the angels, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that by the grace of God he should taste of death for everyone. [Hebrews 2:10] For it became him, for whom are all things and through whom are all things, in bringing many children to glory, to make the author of their salvation perfect through sufferings. [Hebrews 2:11] For both he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one, for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brothers, [Hebrews 2:12] saying, “I will declare your name to my brothers. Among the congregation I will sing your praise.” [Hebrews 2:13] Again, “I will put my trust in him.” Again, “Behold, here I am with the children whom God has given me.” [Hebrews 2:14] Since then the children have shared in flesh and blood, he also himself in the same way partook of the same, that through death he might bring to nothing him who had the power of death, that is, the devil,

[Psalms 28:4] Give them according to their work, and according to the wickedness of their doings. Give them according to the operation of their hands. Bring back on them what they deserve. [Psalms 28:5] Because they don’t respect the works of the LORD, nor the operation of his hands, he will break them down and not build them up. [Psalms 28:6] Blessed be the LORD, because he has heard the voice of my petitions. [Psalms 28:7] The LORD is my strength and my shield. My heart has trusted in him, and I am helped. Therefore my heart greatly rejoices. With my song I will thank him. [Psalms 28:8] The LORD is their strength. He is a stronghold of salvation to his anointed. [Psalms 28:9] Save your people, and bless your inheritance. Be their shepherd also, and bear them up forever.

[Psalms 18:1] For the Chief Musician. By David the servant of the LORD, who spoke to the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul. He said, I love you, LORD, my strength. [Psalms 18:2] The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower. [Psalms 18:3] I call on the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; and I am saved from my enemies. [Psalms 18:4] The cords of death surrounded me. The floods of ungodliness made me afraid. [Psalms 18:5] The cords of Sheol were around me. The snares of death came on me.