Love Lifted Me

I was sinking deep in sin,
Far from the peaceful shore,
Very deeply stained within,
Sinking to rise no more;
But the Master of the sea
Heard my despairing cry,
From the waters lifted me–
Now safe am I.

Refrain:
Love lifted me,
Love lifted me,
When nothing else could help,
Love lifted me;
Love lifted me,
Love lifted me,
When nothing else could help,
Love lifted me.

All my heart to Him I give,
Ever to Him I'll cling,
In His blessed presence live,
Ever His praises sing.
Love so mighty and so true
Merits my soul's best songs;
Faithful, loving service, too,
To Him belongs.

Souls in danger, look above,
Jesus completely saves;
He will lift you by His love
Out of the angry waves.
He's the Master of the sea,
Billows His will obey;
He your Savior wants to be–
Be saved today.
 — James Rowe (1912)

James Rowe was born in England 1865, the son of a copper miner. He immigrated to the United States from Ireland in 1889. He was a railroad worker for ten years in New York before becoming an inspector working to protect children and animals for the Hudson River Humane Society.

In 1912 Rowe incorporates Matthew 8:23–27, Jesus asleep in the boat during a storm and Matthew 14:22–33, Jesus inviting Peter to walk on the water with Him. Using sinking or being swamped into the sea as an illustration for “sinking deep in sin…sinking to rise no more.” Jesus, “Master of the sea,” hears our pleas for help, reaches out to us in love, and lifts us up into the well being of grace.

At the end of James’ life in 1933, he had written over 19,000 hymns.

When nothing else can help, a well loved hymn can lift us up.