Main message: Throw out the life line to save a person sinking in their faith.

Bible references:

• V1. "sinking" (Matthew 14:30)

• V2. "Why do you tarry" (Acts 22:16)

• V3. "temptation" (Matthew 26:41)

• V4. "save them" (Jude 23)

Keywords: throw, life line, wave, save, brother, dare, share, someone, drifting, away, sinking, today, strong, long, hasten, soon, rescue, eternity’s

Interpretation notes:

• The hymn uses 6/8 meter and recurring dotted-eighth-plus-sixteenth rhythms on the second and third eighth notes of the measure. 

• The melody rises into a higher register in lines 1, 3, and 5. 

• The refrain uses a steadier beat, and fermatas appear on three words to lengthen them.