James Rowe’s (words) and Howard E. Smith’s 1912 song, “Love lifted me” came to mind this morning and I sang it . . . I had fallen asleep last night reading Sebastian Junger’s The Perfect Storm. The genre, journalist live-in story told like a novel, is one of my favorites.
Here are Rowe’s words to reflect on this morning:
Love Lifted Me
Words by James Rowe | Music by Howard E. Smith
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!
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
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
Source: Cyberhymnal, a very good song resource.
Greg,
I really needed to reacquint myself with “Love Lifted Me,” today. This is going to be a stressful day for me, mostly because of business finances, and I needed to see and feel those wonderful words once again.
Love always lifts, and love always comes from God, regardless of who passes it along.
You know me … an old newspaperman and wordsmith. I’m intrigued by the scripture, “God is love.” In that case, the word love is a predicate nominative, so the sentence can be turned around: Love is God.
The subject and object rename themselves.
Whether it comes from a drunk on the corner, the Pope in Rome, your minister on Sunday morning, or a baby lying in a cradle … love always comes from Him, because He is Love. And love always uplifts.
Rudy Taylor
Greg, I am not sure you knew this or not but my dad was a preacher and missionary. Along with the obligatory 3 times a week, I got to attend ALL my dad’s Gospel meetings and ANY meeting that was within driving distance. I am saying that to say that I was exposed to every song our fellowship sang for that time period…..late 50’s to early 70’s.
Guess what my favorite song was?!?!? Yep, “Love Lifted Me”. Hearing with the ears of a child, I knew it was love and not anything else that “lifted” me and saved me. When I hear it sung now, it always brings a tear to my eyes. I am not sure if it is the nostalgia, or the rehearing of the foundational truth again, or what….but it is a good thing. Most every time tears are a good thing.
Thanks for making my day, brother!
DU
And what great words for Rwandans!
Although I can’t hear them singing it in the old Southern drawl style that I remember it.
gregory:
Brandon and I drove to Duncan, OK for bible bowl then on to Ft Smith for Lauren’s volleyball tournament. lots of car time.
went to the library and checked out “the perfect storm”
brandon really seemed to enjoy it and all the references to weather terminology and systems as well as the physics of different ways that a boat can sink in a storm.
one could preach a sermon about those various ways that storm waves drive our boats into the deep abyss. in the ancient mind of bible times, the abyss was considered the source of evil, the very place of fear and loathing, the unknown, the dark and deep treacherous place in their hearts and souls. makes one appreciate Peter at least trying to walk on the water. Not sure I would have even tried.
bt