The Writings of Dustin Battles

There's now a high quality recording of "Beneath the Sun"! And lead sheet and chord sheet! The recording is thanks to the hard work and creative musicality of my longtime friend Joey Hoelscher and his friend Aaron Thomas, both of Faith Church (Milford, OH).  I love their explanation, written by my friend Joey: A Song for a “Weird” Book Why introduce a song for a “weird” book? Because that book is the inspired Word of God, and it’s “profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness” (2 Tim 3:16, CSB). So even if the book feels a little uncomfortable at times, God intends for us to be taught, rebuked, corrected, and trained in righteousness through it. And if we believe that’s true, then why not sing about it? Songs for All of Life If it’s true that the songs we sing in corporate worship should align with the Scriptures, then we benefit from songs for all of life: not just for joy and jubilation at our salvation or future reward, and not j...

  Do you know the hymn, "Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy"? If so, you probably know it to the minor key tune, RESTORATION. But if you sing it to that excellent tune you actually are only singing half the original lyrics by Joseph Hart!    I'm not sure why someone in church history omitted the second half of each stanza (and a chorus by someone else was added), but the second half is where gospel grace comes in!    So I few years ago for our church I lightly altered the original lyrics (since the second half's words didn't exactly fit the 87 87 D meter) and asked a friend to typeset them all together, plus adding in the extra refrain.    See below for the full text and click here for the four-part hymn!   1. Come, ye sinners, poor and needy, weak and wounded, sick and sore; Jesus ready stands to save you, full of pity, love, and pow'r: He is able, He is able, He is willing; doubt no more. He is able, He is able, He is willing; doubt no more. ...

Several people have asked for the streamlined version of my new hymn. So here are the lyrics and links to my new hymn, "Beneath the Sun." Annotated version Four-part hymn Video of me singing it a cappella My new creator Facebook page Projection slides and other downloads here Lyrics: 1. Beneath the sun my soul is sighing: how brief a vapor is my life! My gain is gone, my days are dying. I chase the wind and stir up strife. Why is my life, O God, not fruitful? Will nothing last that I have done?  Life is unfair, for all is futile. There's nothing new beneath the sun.  [2.] I told myself, “Perhaps some pleasure will fill the void within my soul. Perhaps hard work or gaining treasure will make me wise and not a fool.” But my delight turned into sorrow, transformed before my very eyes. What charms today dissolves tomorrow. Earth never fully satisfies. 3. There is a season under heaven, a task and time for everything. I cannot grasp the span I’m given, or know what future days...

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...

A poem on the letters to the seven churches in Revelation 2–4 I wrote in my personal devotions a few months ago when nearing the end of my journey to read through the whole Bible. Dear Ephesus, you work so hard and wicked people there you barred. Yet you have lost your earlier love, so now repent; love God above. Dear Smyrna, rich, while poor, in pain— fear not to suffer once again. Be faithful, even unto death, and I will give you life and breath. Dear Pergamum, where Satan lives, your faith, surprisingly, still thrives.  But you condone such heresy if you do not repent, you'll die! Dear Thyatira, you have shown your deeds, your faith, your love have grown. But this about you I despise: you bear that prostitute who lies. Dear Sardis, you all really think  you are alive? You're at death's brink! So wake up! Strengthen what remains,  else I will frighten, give you pains. Dear Philadelphia, I know your deeds, yet little strength to show. you keep my name, true all the while...

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, ...

We recently had a baptism at our church. I gave the one being baptized several baptism hymns to consider for us to use during the worship service. He chose this hymn, but because it was so antiquated in language, I modernized and changed a lot of it. So it's originally a text by John Eustace Giles but I changed much of it.  I was made aware of this hymn by David Ward's website ThousandTongues (now called Hymnicity), but I want back to the original wording and updated it myself without consulting his. So I think it can rightly be called a new hymn with an old heritage.  Words: John Eustace Giles (1805–1875) and © Dustin R. Battles (1986– )   Suggested Music: Henry Smart, 1867 (REGENT SQUARE) How this sacred sign reminds me Savior, of your love to me. Buried with you, baptism binds me to you for eternity; Resurrection, resurrection guarantees new life for me! As I view the pool before me should I shun your selfless love? Though unworthy ...

Why I switched to CSB from the NIV as my primary preaching and teaching translation: Short explanation In short, it's a modern language translation with a high level of accuracy and a good reputation.  Medium explanation It is just as accurate (if not more so) than the translation I was using before, just as vernacular, but a lot less baggage/stigma—plus, a lot of our members are using it anyway.  Long explanation I recently switched my main preaching and teaching translation to the Christian Standard Bible (CSB). Any time a pastor or church switches from one translation to another, it could be fodder for controversy. So let me explain my reasons. (If you're wondering which translation I switched from, I’ll get to that in a moment.) First, a clarification. I’m not of the opinion that there’s one “best” translation. We have scores of good ones like NASB, ESV, NET, and even the NLT (yes, I know the Message is not really a translation).  Why not one best translation?  ...

Last month I decided at the last minute to write a hymn for the 50th anniversary of my church , which we celebrated on September 18–19. It's the fastest hymn I've ever written, composed in about 2 weeks' time.  I've never said this before, but now would be an appropriate time to note that any time I write a hymn, I always glean insights and feedback from friends and sometimes family. This hymn is no exception, especially since I wrote it so quickly. Many thanks to all those who helped me this time and every time. Also, the typesetting is by my friend Dan Kreider, who does excellent typesetting at Hymnworks . I wrote it for tune SINE NOMINE, which many will recall as the tune to "For All the Saints." I even included a slight nod to William Walsham How in the first stanza as I (mostly) used his "est" rhyme scheme.  Theologically, I use a less common pattern of Father, (Holy) Spirit, Son. This is not ideal, as the order (not hierarchy) of the Triune God...

Dan Forrest has done a wonderful solo piano rendition of his tune to my text "Forsaken" published with Beckenhorst in 2014!  Here's the link to listen. Here's my original blog post from 2014.

My college friend Peter Anglea (pronounced "angel") has put together his music composition abilities and computer programming skills to develop this amazing website called Doxology .  You can see download slides or sheets for 4-part hymns, lead sheets, or just the lyrics—and you can even change the key! All for free! It's a really creative and unique idea. Kudos to Peter! I have three songs on there—one original and two updates to historic texts: Help My Unbelief (with Paul Keew, administered by ChurchWorksMedia) I Saw One Hanging on a Tree (updated text by John Newton, paired with KINGSFOLD) My Song Is Love Unknown (I lightly updated the text and kept it paired with LOVE UNKNOWN)

Last year I helped Dan Kreider edit (along with many others) what's appropriately called the  New Psalter . For those who don't know, a psalter is collection of songs from the Psalms. The New Psalter is the best psalter on the market today, in my opinion.  The settings are often historic, yet other are new. The tunes range from familiar to fresh. Authors include historic ones like Watts, Getty, Papa, Psalter 1912, and two settings of mine: Psalm 130: Out of the Depths I worked on this psalm setting for literally 6 years. All because I couldn't get it to the point where I was happy with it. But when there's a new psalter coming out, I had motivation! It's paired with a lovely melancholy English folk song called "Turtle Dove." Psalm 85: In Times of Old (with Dan Kreider) When Dan was working on a setting of Psalm 85 for the New Psalter, he asked me to help him hone it. So it ended up being 1/2–3/4 Dan's work and 1/4–1/2 mine. I think the collaboration t...

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 . 

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. Quen...

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...