Erastus Johnson Grave

Hymn History: The Rock That Is Higher Than I & Author: Erastus Johnson

“Many banks failed … Erastus Johnson wrote the hymn ‘The Rock That Is Higher Than I’ to
encourage those present…”
(Robert Cottrill)

The Origin of the Hymn “The Rock That Is Higher Than I”

“The Rock That Is Higher Than I” is one of the most heartfelt hymns of the late 19th century, expressing trust in God’s sustaining strength amid the trials of life. Written by Erastus Johnson in 1871, this song has comforted countless believers with its plaintive tone and scriptural imagery. Rooted in personal experience and deep biblical reflection, its words have endured as a reminder of God’s steadfastness when earthly foundations give way.

The Author: Erastus Johnson (1826–1909)

Erastus Johnson was born in 1826 in Salem, Massachusetts. While not widely known compared to other hymnwriters of his era, Johnson was a devout layman with a love for sacred music and faith-filled poetry. He was active in Christian service, including his work as a clerk and later businessman in the lumber trade, but his heart was drawn to the things of God. Johnson composed several hymns during his lifetime, but none has achieved the lasting impact of “The Rock That Is Higher Than I.”

A Hymn Born of Loneliness and Hope

The hymn originated during a season of deep personal sorrow. In 1871, Johnson was far from home, working in the remote regions of Lake Superior. He had left his family behind in New York and found himself isolated by both geography and circumstance. The pangs of loneliness and a heavy emotional burden drove him to prayer and Scripture.

During this time, Johnson turned to Psalm 61:2, which reads:

“From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”

This verse became the foundation for his hymn. It spoke directly to Johnson’s condition: though he felt exiled “from the end of the earth,” he knew that God remained a sure refuge, a firm foundation, and a rock of strength greater than any human effort.

Inspired by this Scripture, Johnson penned the words to “The Rock That Is Higher Than I” as both a prayer and a declaration of trust. The opening stanza captures the heart of his plea:

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.
O then to the Rock let me fly,
To the Rock that is higher than I.

Early Publication and Music

Johnson first shared the hymn in a personal letter to his wife, who in turn shared it with friends. It soon caught the attention of the wider Christian community. In 1872, the hymn was first published with a tune by William G. Fischer, a prominent gospel music composer of the era.

Fischer’s melody—tender, contemplative, and fittingly full of longing—helped the hymn reach an even broader audience. The song found its way into Sunday school songbooks, revival meetings, and later, standard church hymnals. It became especially beloved in African American churches, where its themes of deliverance, shelter, and eternal hope found a deep and lasting resonance.

Themes and Biblical Imagery

At the heart of “The Rock That Is Higher Than I” is the biblical metaphor of God as a rock—a refuge, fortress, and immovable foundation. This image appears throughout Scripture, from David’s Psalms to Jesus’ parable of the wise man building his house upon the rock. Johnson weaves this theme through each stanza, reminding the singer that whether in sorrow, storm, or joy, the “Rock” remains higher, stronger, and supremely secure.

The second stanza reflects on life’s “tempestuous sea,” while the third looks forward to the eternal “land of the blest.” Thus, the hymn is both a present prayer and a future promise. It addresses immediate emotional needs while anchoring the believer’s hope in God’s unchanging nature.

Legacy and Enduring Appeal

Though Erastus Johnson lived the rest of his life relatively unnoticed, dying in 1909, his humble hymn has outlived him by more than a century. It remains in hymnbooks today—not because of lyrical flourish or musical trend, but because of its timeless truth.

Generations of Christians have faced overwhelming challenges: illness, exile, loss, and grief. In these moments, Johnson’s simple refrain—“To the Rock that is higher than I”—becomes a lifeline, reminding the weary that there is a place of refuge beyond our human limitations, secure in the eternal care of God.

“The Rock That Is Higher Than I” is more than a hymn; it is an honest testimony of faith from a man who knew what it meant to be overwhelmed. And in his cry, all of us who have walked the rocky paths of life find a prayer for our own hearts and a renewed trust in the One who is forever higher, stronger, and near.