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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Bread of life, so rich and free,
Untold wealth that never faileth,
My Redeemer is to me.
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Mansfield, Ohio, United States
Here is the history of this wonderful hymn. It is her testimony and experience that many can relate to. The history contains scripture reference as well as quotes from others that were an inspiration for this hymn.
Author –Clara Tear Williams, 1858-1937
Composer –Ralph E. Hudson, 1843-1901
“For He satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness. ” Psalm 107:9
The author, Clara Tear Williams, has given the following description of the writing of this inspirational testimony hymn:
“About 1875, I was helping in meetings in Troy, Ohio, where Professor R. E. Hudson conducted the singing, when, just before retiring one night, he asked me to write a song for a book he was preparing to publish. Before sleeping, I wrote “Satisfied. ” In the morning, he composed the music. ”
In his book, Songs That Lift the Heart, George Beverly Shea (See “I’d Rather Have Jesus, ” No. 42) gives the following account regarding the author of this hymn:
“My father, the Reverend A. J. Shea, and I were on an afternoon shopping trip for Mother, as I recall. When we came out of a store in Houghton, New York, where we had recently moved from Winchester, Ontario, we met a tall, elderly woman making her way slowly up the street. She was walking in that slow, mincing step older people sometimes do, cautious not to lose balance.
“Dad tipped his hat and said good-day to her as we passed. She stopped and looked up to see who was speaking. Smiling sweetly, she returned his greeting.
“‘Do you know who that was, son? ’ he asked me on up the way. I turned and watched as she continued her careful progress. Though a distinguished woman (whom I would now describe as looking a lot like Whistler’s Mother)–I had no idea who she was.
“‘That, ’ said Dad, ‘was Mrs. Clara Tear Williams. She writes hymns. ’ There was a near reverence in his voice, and though I was only eight years old, I was duly impressed. Already, I was fascinated by music and anyone who was involved in it. . When Dad and I got home that afternoon, I told Mother about meeting Mrs. Williams, the hymnwriter. She smiled knowingly and nodded her head. Then she went to the piano bench and found a hymnal that contained one of Clara Tear Williams’ compositions.
“She explained that Mrs. Williams–a Methodist like us–had written the words, but that the music had been written by Ralph E. Hudson, an Ohio publisher who also was an evangelistic singer.
“A few years later, when I was in my teens and began to sing solos, I memorized the hymn that Mother played that day and sang it. It was entitled “Satisfied. ”
The composer of this hymn, Ralph E. Hudson, was born on July 9, 1843, in Napoleon, Ohio. Following his discharge from the Union Army and the Civil War in 1864, he taught music at Mount Vernon College, Alliance, Ohio, for five years. He became licensed to preach in the Methodist Episcopal Church and was active in evangelistic work. He was also known as a singer, songwriter, and compiler, establishing his own publishing company at Alliance, Ohio. A strong prohibitionist, Hudson wrote several temperance songs and published The Temperance Songster, in 1886. Several of his hymnal collections include Salvation Echoes (1882), Gems of Gospel Song (1884), Songs of Peace, Love and Joy (1885), and Songs of the Ransomed (1887), all of which were later combined into one volume, titled Quartette.
Other gospel hymns for which Ralph Hudson has supplied music include: “Blessed Be the Name, ” “At the Cross, ” “A Glorious Church, ” and “I’ll Live for Him” (words only).
Clara Tear Williams’ text with Ralph Hudson’s music appeared in the first printing of Gems of Gospel Song (1881), compiled by E. A. Hoffman, J. H. Tenney, and Ralph E. Hudson. It is still widely sung today.
“Three things make us happy and content: the seeing eye, the hearing ear, and the responsive heart. ” –Missionary Digest
“Have your heart right with Christ, and He will visit you often, and so turn weekdays into Sundays, meals into sacraments, homes into temples, and earth into heaven. –Charles Haddon Spurgeon
“I have tasted heaven’s manna,
And I want no other bread.
In green pastures I am dwelling,
And my hung’ring soul is fed.
“At the living fount of waters,
I have quenched my thirst for aye.
I am living in God’s glory,
And my sins are washed away. ”
–Avis B. Christiansen
All my life I had a longing
For a drink from some clear spring,
That I hoped would quench the burning
Of the thirst I felt within.
Refrain
Hallelujah! I have found Him
Whom my soul so long has craved!
Jesus satisfies my longings,
Through His blood I now am saved.
Feeding on the husks around me,
Till my strength was almost gone,
Longed my soul for something better,
Only still to hunger on.
Refrain
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.
Refrain
Well of water, ever springing,
Bread of life so rich and free,
Untold wealth that never faileth,
My Redeemer is to me.
Mansfield, Ohio, United States
Verse one comes from Psalms 42:1. The deer panting for the water is a metaphor for our heart’s longing for some cool spring. As Christians we know that spring is Christ. Verse two refers to the experience of the prodigal son who was so hungry he was eating the husks around him. The world will never satisfy our hunger. So in this hymn we see that man not only has a desire for water but also food. God has put this thirst and hunger in our spirit. So in this hymn we seen there is a thirst, a longing, a craving, a hunger, which should bring about a natural seeking for God. These things are something very deep that can only be satisfied by Christ. We must have Him for our spiritual food and drink. We must take Him in as the water of Life and the bread of Life to be satisfied. This is not by knowledge but by faith.
Storrs, Connecticut, United States
Clara Tear Williams was born on September 22, 1858, near Painesville, Ohio. She grew up on the homestead inherited from her Christian ancestors, who emigrated from the Isle of Man – where they had heard John Wesley preach. At the age of 13, “the love of God” came into her heart. In her teens, Clara increasingly consecrated her life to the Lord, yielding her future into his hands.
During her late teens, Clara began assisting others in holding gospel meetings, at which time she penned “Satisfied. ” Later, she traveled and preached from town to town as a circuit-rider in several states, filling a spiritual void among God’s people.
In May 1895 at the age of 36, she married William H. Williams. He had been a profane, Godless, young man, but after turning 30, he had a profound reconsideration of his life and came under intense conviction of his sinful state. A timely word from a faithful Christian leader drove William to go home, pray, and confess his sins. Pacing the floor, he flung open the door of his heart, believed in Christ, was saved.
This spiritually well matched couple gave their lives to the Lord’s work. William faithfully earned his living, both has a mill foreman and a school janitor. At other times, he and Clara were circuit-riders together, they had three daughters.
Clara served with her husband until his death on May 17, 1934, at the age of 79. Clara went to be with the Lord on July 1, 1937, at the age of 78. In addition to leading many individuals to the Lord, Clara wrote the enduring hymn,
”Satisfied” for future generations to enjoy Christ.
(Hidden Pearls-chapter 7)
Nakuru, Rift Valley, United States
When Jesus found me and I accepted for Him to come in and stay; He released Hunger and thirst into my soul.
From then I hunger and thirst for Him such that I tirelessly listen to his words, sing or read.
But this Hymnal always deepens His presence and my desire for Him.
I thirst and long for Him day and nigh. I stay detached from the world most of my days. Praise the name of Jesus.
Philippines
Praise be unto Him, The Lord Jesus Christ!!!
My Rock and my Redeemer
Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States
Hallelujah, He has found us!
Mountainair, New Mexico, United States
I thank God fir the sacrifice at Calvary that paid my sin debt. Thank you JESUS!! 🤠🇺🇸💯🎶🎼🎸
Divino, MG, Brazil
Grateful, grateful, grateful. I am grateful!
Prais God! ☺
Naivasha, Nakuru, Kenya
Hallelujah! I have found Him
Whom my soul so long has craved!
Amen Lord Jesus