"By the saving grace...."

I put all my confidence in Him, my sole protection
Is the saving grace that’s over me.

Today RightWingBob posts on "Saving Grace," one of Dylan's best gospel songs. He quotes and comments on the meaning and significance of the entire lyric, which, by Dylan's standards, is very straightforward. RightWingBob:

The “saving grace” praised in the song is not within the singer; it is over the singer: “the saving grace that’s over me.” Over and above. It is not a song of self-congratulation and triumphalism, but one of humble gratitude to and confidence in Someone else.

From YouTube [via RightWingBob], a 1980 performance in Toronto:

The wicked know no peace and you just can’t fake it,
There’s only one road and it leads to Calvary.
It gets discouraging at times, but I know I’ll make it
By the saving grace that’s over me.
RightWingBob is a great site - and not just for material about Dylan.

RightWingBob.com » Grace