Lyrics
Jesus, oh Jesus
Do you know Him today
Please don't turn Him away
Oh Jesus, my Jesus
Without Him how lost would I be
Without Him I could do nothing
Without Him I'd surely fail
Oh, Without Him I would be drifting
Like a ship without a sail
Jesus, oh Jesus
Do you know Him today
Please don't turn Him away
Oh Jesus, my Jesus
Without Him how lost would I be
Without Him I would be dying
Without Him I'd be enslaved
And without Him my life would be worthless
But with Jesus, thank God I am saved
That's why I cry Jesus, oh Jesus
Do you know Him today
Please don't turn Him away
Oh Jesus, my Jesus
Without Him how lost would I be
That's why I sing Jesus, oh Jesus
Do you know Him today
Please don't turn Him away
Oh Jesus, my Jesus
Without Him how lost would I be
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
Without Him presents dependence on Jesus through plain contrasts: ability and helplessness, direction and drifting, freedom and slavery, life and death. The image of a ship without a sail gives that dependence a memorable form, suggesting a life without guidance or secure purpose. Each verse returns to the name of Jesus, making the refrain both a confession of need and an appeal not to reject the salvation found in him.
The song moves from what life would be without Christ to gratitude for what Christ provides. Its strongest biblical parallel is the teaching that lasting fruit cannot be produced apart from him. The language of being saved and released from bondage also reflects New Testament themes of freedom through the Son and salvation in his name. Repeating the refrain after each contrast reinforces the central conviction: hope, direction, freedom, and salvation belong together in relationship with Jesus.