The Writings of Dustin Battles

Few writers attempt to cover the Bible's message in one text/poem. This is my attempt to do so. However, I couldn't find a tune that seemed that seemed to fit the text; that is, until David Galvin stumbled across a Saint-Saëns piano concerto tune that, in my opinion, fits the text perfectly! David adapted it so that it's more singable. See below for the text or click here to view the full text and music PDF. Our Glorious God Text by Dustin Battles Music by Camille Saint-Saëns (Piano Concerto No. 4, 2nd movement), Adapt. By David Galvin 8.8.8.8.D 1.  Our glorious God unveiled His might, Creating heavens, seas, and lands. He spoke and there was glorious light; He fashioned Adam with His hands. The skies declare that He is Lord; We join with them to shout His name! All things that are came by His word, For God does all for His own fame. 2.  Of Eden’s fruit mankind could eat, But not the tree of knowledge there. Yet with his ...

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— Redeem...

Behold How Every Wound Text by Dustin Battles Music by Reba Snyder PDF of text and music 8.6.8.6. with refrain 1. Behold how ev'ry wound of Christ Distills a precious cure. Those searing marks have paid the price To make this sinner pure. Refrain: The bleeding Lamb bears holy wounds  Of mercy full and free. His body shines a crimson hue That ever pleads for me. 2. His hammered hands, His thorny crown, His wounded, piercèd side Preach gospel grace that trickles down— None but Christ could provide. 3. Grim injuries left me dismayed— For me He was accused? His wounds healed scars my sin had made When love and suff’ring fused. 4. The wonders of redeeming love Bring triumph, not defeat. Both here on earth and soon above I’ll worship at His feet. Copyright 2015 by The Wilds

Christ Arose!  By Dustin Battles From 1 Corinthians 15 7.7.7.7.D. 1. Christ arose! Proclaim the news! News of God’s redeeming grace: How God willingly would choose His own Son to take our place. Jesus died as Scripture said, Buried three days in the grave. But we never have to dread: Christ arose our souls to save! 2. If our Lord did not arise Then our faith would be in vain. But our faith is firm in Christ, Who is raised in pow’r to reign. Christ indeed defeated death, Breaking mortal chains to live. After taking our last breath, We will all awake alive. 3. We, like Adam, are like seeds, Perishing the moment sown. Yet the second Adam pleads Life now, resurrection soon. Come, behold, a mystery! We will change at trumpet sound! In the twinkling of an eye, He will raise us from the ground. 4. What the Word said soon will be: “Death, O death, where is your sting?” “Death, where is your victory?” Death is dead! Rejoice and sing! Thanks to God, O ...

A People For His Name Missions Conference 2016 Hymn for the King's Chapel, West Chester, Ohio Music by Brian Buda 7.7.7.7.D PDF of text and music 1. People walk about the earth, Groping as though it were night. Who will bring the blind to Christ, Shine the glorious gospel light? I will lead the sightless souls, Urging them to turn to Him! Christ illumines darkened hearts As a people for His name, As a people for His name. 2. Wretched souls live for themselves, Thinking not about their sins. Who will point them to the cross— Where Christ died, where life begins? I'll proclaim the risen Lord, Snatching souls out of the flame! Through my words I pray He might Save a people for His name, Save a people for His name. 3. We, like them, were once His foes, Foes against His holiness. Who broke down that wall of sin? Jesus, King of righteousness! We, all nations, will sing praise To the holy Lamb once slain. With His blood He purchased us— We're ...

Last year I came across a hymn by John Newton in Olney Hymns  and it really resonated with me. So I modernized it and changed some words to make it ring more clearly for today's readers/singers. We sang this at Grace Baptist Church in Carlisle, PA during a service in which I was preaching.   Poor, Weak, and Unworthy, Though I Am Text: John Newton and Dustin Battles 1. Poor, weak, unworthy though I am, I have a rich, almighty Friend; Jesus, the Savior, is his name, He freely loves, and without end. He ransomed me from hell with blood, And by his pow'r my foes controlled; He found me, wand'ring far from God, And brought me to his chosen fold. 2.  My gracious Friend I've often grieved; Distrusted, scorned, and disobeyed, And often Satan's lies believed, Ignoring all my Friend has said. He welcomes me in ev'ry task To bring him any sin confessed;  All I must do is humbly ask: He'll grant me pardon and sweet rest...

Several years ago when meditating upon Psalm 57, I quickly wrote down a meditation on the psalm. Years later James Koerts added a wonderful tune to go with the text. The tune and full arrangement will be available summer 2016 from the Wilds . If you'd like to sing the text to a tune you already know, try  O WALY WALY. “Be Merciful, O God, To Me” (Psalm 57) L.M. 1. Be merciful, O God, to me! My soul is weary and oppressed. My foes are mighty but I flee To shelter in Your wings of rest. 2. Send out Your steadfast love to me And all Your grace and faithfulness. Your presence with me now shall be My only joy and righteousness. 3. My heart is steadfast all my days: You are my song and melody! Awake, my soul, to sing His praise, And, like the dawn, His glory see. 4.* I give You praise among the just And join the nations' happy song. Let all Your glory spring to us— We'll praise You here with ev'ry tongue. 5. Be e...

I was glad to see that the new Hymns of Grace , published by Master's Seminary, includes one of my favorite hymns, "Here Is Love." (I especially love Dan Forrest's arrangement of this hymn.) But, annoyingly, the editors of the new Hymns of Grace  changed all of the "thees" and "thous" to "yous" and so forth—with the exception of the final word of the piece, which ends on "thee"! They did so to rhyme with "me" two lines up. While I totally understand why they did what they did, I'd rather see a hymn be consistent in its use of older English. In my opinion, either leave the text as is (originally written), or update the entire text. Since no such updated text exists, I had my friend David Galvin of Glad Adoration Music Ministries set the traditional tune to the updated text. Access the full text and music PDF here . I hope it's a blessing to the church and an encouragement to those who sing it. 1. He...