[Verse 1] In midnight's hush I stood with empty hands, On sinking sand, no steady place to stand. The river rose, the night held back my cry, Then You bent low and turned my winter into sky. [Pre-Chorus ] A whisper like a lantern, a touch that wouldn't leave, You called my name in the dark — I felt my heart believe. [Chorus ] Lifted by grace, I rise. (Lifted by grace, I rise.) Higher than midnight skies. (Choir: Higher, higher!) Your hand saved me, opened my eyes. I praise You, Lord — my life, my prize. (Amen.) [Verse 2] When the winds were loud and the roof began to groan, You were the steady stone that drew me close to home. You calmed the thunder, turned my tremble into song, With You beside me, I belong, I stand strong. [Chorus — Call & Response] Lead: Lifted by grace, I rise. Choir: We rise! (We rise, we rise!) Lead: Higher than midnight skies. Choir: Hallelujah, higher! Lead: Your hand saved me, opened my eyes. Choir: Opened wide! Lead: I praise You, Lord — my life, my prize. Choir: Forever praise! (Amen!) [Bridge — Testimony] I came with broken songs and pockets full of fear, You turned my stumble into stepping, brought the heaven near. (Short solo — let the lead tell it plain) "I walked out of the river that night, feet dripping, heart on flame," "You called me by a kinder name." [Build — Spoken/Choir Tag] Leader (soft): From ashes to altar, from whisper to loud refrain — Choir (building): You lifted us, You lifted us, we will never be the same! [Final Chorus — Key Lift] Lifted by grace, I rise! (Choir: Lifted by grace!) Higher than midnight skies! (Choir: Higher!) Your hand saved me, opened my eyes — I praise You, Lord, forever high! (Choir: Forever high, amen!) [Outro — Choir Tag] Leader: Lift me up on wings of praise. Choir: Lift us up on wings of praise! Leader: I am Yours, forever true. Choir: We are Yours, forever true! All (soft then building): Hallelujah — lifted by grace, all because of You. Amen. [Performance Notes — for singers and band] - Arrangement: sparse piano/organ in verses, grow to full choir + horns at final chorus. - Leave space for melisma on words: "grace," "rise," "Hallelujah." - Consider a half-step or whole-step key change before the Final Chorus for maximum lift. - Dynamic build: Verse (intimate) → Pre-Chorus (growing) → Chorus (full) → Bridge (testimony solo) → Final Chorus (full choir + adlibs). - Choir call-and-response and short testimony solo are essential for gospel energy.