The English definition of the verb “pant” is “to feel strong desire; yearn eagerly; to long with breathless or intense eagerness.” It is often used of one (or even an animal) who is panting for air – feeling a strong desire; yearning eagerly; longing with intense eagerness. When you lack proper oxygen and need a breath of air, panting kicks in automatically.
As the psalmist contemplated his need and desire for God, he worded it this way: “As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God” (Psa. 42:1-2). The parched deer pants for the water – feeling a strong desire for it, yearning eagerly for it, longing with intense eagerness for it. The psalmist proclaimed that is exactly how he felt about God – he felt a strong desire for God, yearning eagerly for Him with an intense (almost uncontrollable) longing. Perhaps, it even kicked in automatically at times.
Does your soul pant for God? Does your soul thirst for God? How much?