I’ve been exploring some of the very modern worship songs as an old guy 😀. But now, I’ve decided to alternate between very modern hymns, old hymns, and in-between hymns, namely the worship songs from the 60s to the 90s that feature in hymnbooks such as Mission Praise. Today it’s the turn of the old hymns.
Today’s song is Love Lifted Me from 1912.
1 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.
2 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. [Refrain]
3 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. [Refrain]
When I consider 1912, I think of the Titanic. However good a swimmer you were, you needed to be rescued. You couldn’t get to the shore on your own. But this hymn is inspired by Peter, who sank when he looked away from Jesus.
Verse one reminds us of the incident where Jesus walked on water (Matthew 14:22–31). Peter sought to do likewise, but when he looked at the waves, his faith failed, and he started to sink. But Jesus rescued him. And that’s an illustration of our own lives. When we recognize our sin and reach out for Jesus, He lifts us and saves us. We can’t make it on our own. We are utterly dependant on Him.
And it’s out of love for us that He saves us, which is why we sing “love lifted me”, but we know it’s the love of God; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
John 3:16
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
1 John 4:10
This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
Here are some other versions of today’s hymn:
Hibernia Gospel 