Justin Brock | Songs

I was teaching English at Veritas to 8th and 10th graders in the 2003-2004 school year. My 8th graders had the best time that year, in part because we were working through I Samuel. They learned a lot about how to read the Bible while reading one of the most novel-like books of the Old [...]

Anesthesia is a song I wrote to a friend [J.C.] at Belhaven. I think it was the 1997-8 year. Anyway, she knew it was for her … and she doesn’t need any now. Anesthesia Perhaps your way is rougher than you hoped for and Lonely is the only person knocking at your door. If you [...]

Here’s another ruined hymn. Sir Isaac Watts – the hymn writer I most often harass – published this one in Hymns and Spiritual Songs, 1709. My brother is singing harmony with me in the video below. I happened to make this arrangement during a summer in Scandinavia. Not All the Blood of Beasts Not all [...]

In 1997, I returned to Scandinavia for the second time. For part of the trip, I stayed with David, a friend from college who lives in Siljansnäs, Sweden, south of Mora on Lake Siljan1. We spent most of the time memorizing the Westminster Shorter Catechism, discussing ancient red buildings and walking in silence. It was [...]

Bullfight is my newest song. I wrote it last night over the course of 30 minutes or so. It felt more like discovery or archeology than creativity. Haven’t learned how to play it yet, but I’ll post a rough podcast track once I have one. Bullfight i was fine till you pulled that curtain down [...]

Holy Ghost, dispel our sadness, Pierce the clouds of sinful night; Come, O source of sweetest gladness, Breathe your life and spread your light. Loving Spirit, God of peace, Great distributor of grace, Rest upon this congregation; Hear, O hear our supplication. From that height which knows no measure, As a gracious shower descend; Bringing [...]

O Thou that hear’st when sinners cry, Though all my crimes before Thee lie, Behold them not with angry look, But blot their mem’ry from Thy book. Create my nature pure within, And form my soul averse to sin: Let Thy good Spirit ne’er depart, Nor hide Thy presence from my heart. I cannot live [...]

When I first heard your voice Your lips dripped of honey I was young and foolish – couldn’t see what you were doing Now your words croak like lies how hollow are your eyes you brought me to the brink of utter ruin All the dreaming of my youth Now like a carcass in the [...]

If you’re not familiar with Genesis, you’ll probably think I had a really bad home life after reading the lyrics to “You Were Hated.” In actuality, the song is about Jacob; his brother, Esau; and a certain Angel who took the hate so he could be loved. I’ve had a verse and chorus for this [...]

One day during college a friend of mine – Tim Hagen, who also happens to be one of my favorite songwriters – popped into my room discouraged and half-confessed a sin he was struggling with. I say half-confessed because he followed it up with, “Oh well, I guess God will forgive me.” To which I [...]