Skip to main content

Help My Unbelief—with Paul Keew


I first wrote a draft of a text with the words, "I can trust You when I see every step You have for me..." in my devotions two years ago. Dozens (hundreds?) of edits and iterations later, the text has been finalized as follows:

1. (Matt 14:22–33)
I can trust You when I see every step You’ve planned for me,
But when wind and waves arise fear awakens in my eyes.
                                                 
Why do I distrust and fear? You will never disappear.
Reach into this stormy sea, hear my cry, and rescue me.

Refrain:
I believe, yes, I believe. Help, oh Lord, my unbelief!
I believe, yes, I believe. Help, oh Lord, my unbelief!

2. (Psa 51:9–12; cf. Psa 42:2; Psa 90:14)
I am fully satisfied when my heart delights in Christ.
But when I give in to sin, only hollow joys remain.

Who can satisfy but You? You can fill me through and through.
Quench my thirsty soul, oh Lord, that my joy may be restored.

3. (Job 1:21; 2:10; 7:11)
I know You are good to me when You send prosperity.
But when peace gives way to pain, in frustration I complain.

How could I find fault with You? You are always just and good.
Grant me faith, not just relief; help, oh, help my unbelief!


© Dustin Battles and Watchsong.com

Paul Keew of Watchsong kindly wrote the music for this hymn. I am thrilled at how it turned out.

Click here to listen to a recording of the first stanza and download the sheet music. May God be glorified.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

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

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

"Buried in the Grave of Jesus" (Trench and Battles)

Mrs. J. A. Trench wrote a hymn text well over one hundred years ago entitled, "Buried in the Grave of Jesus." Much of it was outdated or misunderstood, so I moderately edited it for our church. Praise the Lord we had two ladies baptized, an octogenarian and a young wife and mother expecting a child! So I edited this hymn to be sung at their baptism service.  If I had to estimate who gets the credit for this hymn, it's probably 70% Mrs. Trench and 30% me. But it's all because of Jesus!  Words: Mrs. J. A. Trench (1843-1925) and Dustin Battles (1986– ) Music: NETTLETON, Anonymous 1. Buried in the grave of Jesus, we believe what God has said: Sin has no more pow’r to seize us, since in Jesus we were dead.  All the waves rolled over Jesus, there exhausted all their power. Death and judgment are behind us, grace and glory are before. 2. Firstfruits of the resurrection, Christ is risen from the tomb. Now we are a new creation: old has passed, the new has come.  Jesus died, a
Post a Comment
Read more