Sometimes The Shadows Are Deep

By Erastus Johnson

Lyrics

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!

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.

Bible Reference

Psalm 61:2

About This Hymn

"O sometimes the shadows are deep, and rough seems the path to the goal" opens this hymn with a vivid expression of life’s burdens and spiritual weariness. Written by Erastus Johnson during the financial panic of 1871, the hymn offered comfort to those gripped by fear and uncertainty. It uses poignant imagery—tempests overwhelming the soul, weary footsteps along dusty ways—to reflect the common Christian struggle and the deep longing for divine refuge.

The refrain, "O then to the Rock let me fly, to the Rock that is higher than I," contrasts human weakness with the enduring strength found in Christ. This repeated declaration serves as both a prayer and a profound statement of faith, reminding worshippers that when trials press hardest, they can turn to Christ, the solid Rock of security, and find solace that transcends their fleeting circumstances.

Subsequent stanzas deepen the promise: whether trekking a difficult mountain path or walking through a shadowy valley, the believer finds protection and rest in the Rock’s shadow. The hymn beautifully frames God’s presence not just as a distant hope but as a near and sustaining reality, regardless of the trials one faces