Wilds Songbook (2019)

A couple years ago (I know—I'm quite behind the times), the 9th edition of the Wilds Songbook was released. It includes several songs whose words I composed. Many thanks to the music composers (names in parentheses below) who brought these texts to life. And also thanks to the Wilds for publishing these!

From Heaven's Holy Throne (with James Koerts)
Mercy (with Joey Hoelscher)
Behold How Every Wound (with Reba Snyder Miller)
Be Merciful, O God, to Me (Psalm 57) (with James Koerts)
Here Is Love (a light modernization of the classic hymn)

Copies are available for purchase here.

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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, ...

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— Redeem...

"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 heave...

The Writings of Dustin Battles

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