Skip to main content

Take Heart—with Dan Kreider

In Fall of 2012, I collaborated with Dan Kreider to write Keep Heart. Dan wrote the music, I wrote the lyrics. Three years later, we are re-releasing it. Dan and I are distributing it through Grace Music, which Dan runs as worship pastor of Grace Immanuel Bible Church, Jupiter, Florida.

Most of the lyrics are the same, but some are changed from its 2012 edition.

I originally wrote these words as an encouragement for suffering Christians. Rather than "lose heart" (2 Corinthians 4), we should "take heart."

“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:16–18 ESV)

Here are the lyrics to the song:

Take heart, O servants of the Lord,
amid the cloudy journey.
Though shadows seem to shade His Word,
they cannot hide His mercy.
When providence is manifest
in tempests of affliction,
Behind the storm is Jesus Christ:
the Sun of our salvation.

Serve not the dark desires within,
nor wicked foes, nor tempters.
Their subtle lies would lure us in,
but Christ our King will conquer.
We firmly stand in Jesus’ might
against enticing evil:
He dresses us in radiant light—
the armor of His gospel.

We walk by faith and not by sight
while living in this darkness,
But grief will change into delight
when Christ returns in brightness.
Let us take heart until we see
the risen Lamb of suff’ring.
Then we before His throne will be
like Him, forever shining!

Click here to see a piano/vocal score, chord chart, congregational handout, and demo (piano) recording.

See here for a video of Caleb French and I singing the previous edition.

Also, here are some encouraging words from some friends about the hymn.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Forsaken—with Dan Forrest

A forthcoming choral anthem published by Beckenhorst Press features my lyrics and music by Dan Forrest. Dan wrote some sobering but powerful music that completely captures the grief Christ's sacrifice expressed in the text. The text is written in a 1st-person narrative by Christ in the garden of Gethsemene and on the cross at Golgotha. “How long, My God, will You neglect My prayer? Will You forget these tears of dark despair? Yet not My will, but Yours alone be done: Forsake not man, but Me—Your sinless Son. I, Christ the Son, obey Your great command, Enduring punishment for sinful man. As Son and silent Lamb, I choose this path: Accept rejection to appease Your wrath.” “O why, My God, have You forsaken Me? Why have You now refused My final plea? Though I cry out in sorrow, pain, and fear, You turn Your back; in silence, disappear. I, Christ the Son, bear all their sin alone, Embracing judgment from Your glorious throne. As Son and spotless Lamb,
3 comments
Read more

From Heaven's Holy Throne—with James Koerts

He Stepped from Heaven’s Holy Throne Text by Dustin Battles Music by James Koerts Copyright 2015 by The Wilds PDF available here.  1. He stepped from heaven’s holy throne To take a body like our own.  With love so great, in manner meek, For sinners Jesus came to seek.  2. Christ lived a humble, blameless life, Yet men in hatred caused Him strife. Among the thieves they nailed Him high,  Though we deserved that death to die.  3. When Jesus died, a darkness fell, As if creation could not tell If it would ever once more shine  The glories of the King divine.  4. Then Christ arose just as He said: He crushed our sin and Satan’s head. The light of Jesus’ empty grave, Proves Christ our Savior came to save! 5. No more a servant, now a King— He rules now over everything. Robed in His garments free from stains, We worship Him who ever reigns. Chorus: On bended knee we bow to You— Redeemer, Savior, Lord, and King! Now
Post a Comment
Read more

"Beneath the Sun" (Annotated) A Hymn Based on Ecclesiastes by Dustin Battles

Beneath the Sun A hymn based on the book of Ecclesiastes Words: © 2022 Dustin Battles Tune: WAYFARING STRANGER Lyrics with footnotes to Scripture passages: 1. Beneath the sun [1]  my soul is sighing: [2] how brief a vapor [3]   is my life ! [4] My gain is gone , [5]   my days  are dying. [6] I chase the wind [7]  and   stir up  strife. [8] Why is my life,  O God , not fruitful? [9] Will nothing last that I have done? [10]   Life is  unfair, [11]   for all is futile. [12] There's nothing new beneath the sun . [13]   [ 2 . ] I told myself, “Perhaps some pleasure [14] will fill the void  within my soul. [15] Perhaps hard work [16]  or gaining treasure [17] will make me wise [18]  and not a fool.” [19] But my delight [20]  turned into sorro w , [21] transformed before my very eyes. [22] What charms today dissolves tomorrow. [23] Earth never fully satisfies. 3 . There is a season under heaven, [24] a task [25]  and time [26]  for everything . [27] I cannot grasp [28]  the span I’m give
1 comment
Read more