I was listening to a popular song the other day that borrowed the phrase “Love Lifted Me.” It caught me off guard, because I knew those words had a deeper history than just a catchy chorus. That phrase was born more than a century ago in a hymn that carried both a melody and a testimony—and the story behind it is just as moving as the words themselves.
James Rowe, originally from England, wrote the lyrics in 1912 after moving to the U.S. He wanted simple songs that everyday believers could carry with them, reminders of God’s saving power. But the melody didn’t come from someone with great strength. It came from Howard E. Smith, a small-town organist from Connecticut who lived with crippling arthritis. His fingers could barely move across the keys, but he pressed one note at a time while Rowe sat beside him, writing the melody down. What should have been a wall of weakness became the door to a hymn that has lasted for generations.
The inspiration for the words comes from Matthew 14—Peter stepping out of the boat to walk on water. As long as Peter looked at Jesus, he stayed above the waves. But when fear distracted him, he started to sink. In that moment, one desperate cry—“Lord, save me!”—and Jesus immediately reached out His hand. That’s what Rowe and Smith captured in this hymn: the picture of a Savior who doesn’t leave us drowning, but whose love always rescues.
And that’s the real heart of the song. It’s not just about the first time you believed. It’s about the God who keeps lifting. Lifting when depression feels heavier than joy. Lifting when guilt whispers louder than grace. Lifting when failure or grief feels too deep to climb out of. Peter didn’t pull himself up; he just called out. The same love that caught him still catches us.
Maybe that’s why the phrase keeps appearing in music today. Because it speaks to something we all understand: we’ve all felt like we were sinking. We’ve all needed a hand stronger than our own. And when we cry out, God’s love doesn’t hesitate.
Howard Smith’s broken hands gave the church a melody of strength. James Rowe’s vision provided us with words of hope. And the hymn itself still reminds us: love is at its strongest when we are at our weakest.
So when I hear “Love Lifted Me”—whether in an old hymn or in a modern song—it brings me back to the same truth. God’s love still reaches down. God’s love still lifts. God’s love still saves.
District Elder & Pastor Harold Robertson, Jr. is a seasoned IT Professional and spiritual leader who bridges technology and faith to drive innovation in schools, churches, and communities. With certifications in ITIL, Google Workspace, AI, and church administration, he empowers organizations to thrive through strategic tech integration and leadership.
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Pastor Harold Robertson, Jr.
District Elder & Pastor Harold Robertson, Jr. is a seasoned IT Professional and spiritual leader who bridges technology and faith to drive innovation in schools, churches, and communities. With certifications in ITIL, Google Workspace, AI, and church administration, he empowers organizations to thrive through strategic tech integration and leadership.