The New Century Hymnal ‎#442

442. I'm Pressing on the Upward Way (Higher Ground)

1 I’m pressing on the upward way,
new heights I’m gaining every day;
Still praying as I'm onward bound,
“O plant me, God, on higher ground.”

Refrain:
O lift me up, and I shall be
by faith in heaven eternally,
A higher plane than I have found,
O plant me, God, on higher ground.

2 My heart has no desire to stay
where doubts arise and fears dismay;
Though some may dwell where these abound,
my prayer, my aim is higher ground. [Refrain]

3 I want to live above the world,
Though Satan’s darts at me are hurled;
For faith has caught a joyful sound,
the song of saints on higher ground. [Refrain]

4 I want to scale the utmost height,
and catch a gleam of glory bright;
But still I’ll pray till heaven I’ve found,
“God, lead me on the higher ground.” [Refrain]

Text Information

• First Line: I'm pressing on the upward way
• Title: I'm Pressing on the Upward Way (Higher Ground)
• Author: Johnson Oatman, Jr. (1892, alt.)
• Refrain First Line: O lift me up, and I shall be
• Meter: L.M. with refrain
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1995
• Topic: Eternal Life; Faith and Aspiration; Struggle and Conflict; Year A: Epiphany 8; Year B: Epiphany 6; Year C: Proper 27

Tune Information

• Name: HIGHER GROUND
• Composer: Charles H. Gabriel (1898)
• Meter: L.M. with refrain
• Key: G Major