You help make Hymnary.org possible. More than 10 million people from 200+ countries found hymns, liturgical resources and encouragement on Hymnary.org in 2025, including you. Every visit affirms the global impact of this ministry.

If Hymnary has been meaningful to you this year, would you take a moment today to help sustain it? A gift of any size—paired with a note of encouragement if you wish—directly supports the server costs, research work and curation that keep this resource freely available to the world.

Give securely online today, or mail a check to:
Hymnary.org
Calvin University
3201 Burton Street SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546

Thank you for your partnership, and may the hope of Advent fill your heart.

The Rock That Is Higher Than I

Representative Text

1 O sometimes the shadows are deep,
And rough seems the path to the goal,
And sorrows, sometimes how they sweep
Like tempests down over the soul!

Refrain:
O then to the Rock let me fly,
To the Rock that is higher than I;
O then to the Rock let me fly,
To the Rock that is higher than I!

2 O sometimes how long seems the day,
And sometimes how weary my feet;
But toiling in life's dusty way,
The Rock's blessed shadow, how sweet! [Refrain]

3 O near to the Rock let me keep
If blessings or sorrow prevail,
Or climbing the mountain way steep,
Or walking the shadowy vale. [Refrain]

Source: African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal #431

Author: Erastus Johnson

Johnson, Erastus. (April 20, 1826--June 16, 1909, Waltham, Massachusetts). This man whose life was singularly active and varied was born in a logging camp at Lincoln, Maine. He was buried in Jackson, Maine. He entered the Academy at Calais, Maine, at the age of fifteen, spent two years there, taught school for the next six, and then entered Bangor Theological Seminary. His health failed, and, threatened with the loss of his sight, was compelled to give up preparation for the ministry. On the advice of his physician he took a sea voyage, embarging on the ship Gold Hunter en route from New York to California. The crew of the ship mutinied just before rounding Cape Horn and as Johnson was the only person on board who knew anything about naviga… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: O sometimes the shadows are deep
Title: The Rock That Is Higher Than I
Author: Erastus Johnson
Language: English
Refrain First Line: O then to the Rock let me fly
Copyright: Public Domain

Timeline

Media

The Cyber Hymnal #5833
  • Adobe Acrobat image (PDF)
  • Noteworthy Composer score (NWC)
  • XML score (XML)

Instances in all hymnals

Instances (1 - 22 of 22)
TextPage Scan

African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal #431

Page Scan

Church Gospel Songs and Hymns #209

Church Hymnal, Mennonite #430

Favorite Songs of the Church #401

Page Scan

Hymns for Worship #367

Hymns of Dawn #222

TextPage Scan

Hymns of Faith #387

Hymns of the Restoration #305

Page Scan

Praise for the Lord (Expanded Edition) #649

Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs #692

Redeeming Love #74

Page Scan

Sacred Selections for the Church #126

Sacred Songs of the Church #839

Audio

Small Church Music #2535

Songs of Faith and Praise #974

Songs of the Church #285

Standard Songs Of The Church #101

TextPage Scan

The A.M.E. Zion Hymnal #296

TextScoreAudio

The Cyber Hymnal #5833

TextPage Scan

The New National Baptist Hymnal (21st Century Edition) #268

TextPage Scan

Yes, Lord! #147

Include 286 pre-1979 instances
Suggestions or corrections? Contact us
It looks like you are using an ad-blocker. Ad revenue helps keep us running. Please consider white-listing Hymnary.org or getting Hymnary Pro to eliminate ads entirely and help support Hymnary.org.