Lyrics
Lift me up above the shadows,
Plant my feet on higher ground,
Lift me up above the clouds, Lord,
Where the pure sunshine is found;
Lift me up above my weakness,
Lift me up into Thy strength,
Lift me up above the shadows,
Till I stand with Thee at length.
Refrain:
Lift me up above the shadows,
Lift me up and let me stand
On the mountaintops of glory,
Let me dwell in Beulah land.
Lift me up above the shadows,
For the storms are raging high,
Lift me up, my blessed Savior,
Let me to Thy bosom fly;
There no evil thing can touch me,
Over on the shining side,
Lift me up above the shadows,
Let me evermore abide.
Lift me up above the shadows,
Out of sorrow into joy,
Lift me up above my grief, Lord,
Give me gold for my alloy;
Then when death must claim my spirit,
And the storms of life are past,
Lift me up above the shadows,
Till in heav’n I stand at last.
Lift us up above the shadows,
When to earth You come again,
Let us be in the assembly,
As Thy Bride to ever reign;
In Thy kingdom full of glory,
With our friends we’ll ever be,
Lift us up above the shadows,
There to dwell eternally.
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
“Lift Me Up Above the Shadows” takes the form of a sustained prayer for God’s help through weakness, grief, danger, and death. Images of shadows, storms, higher ground, and sunlight contrast present trouble with the security found in the Savior’s strength. The refrain’s request to stand on the mountaintops of glory and dwell in Beulah land expresses a longing for nearness to God and the lasting home associated with his promises.
Later verses extend that hope beyond immediate relief. Sorrow gives way to joy, earthly storms pass, and death is viewed in light of heaven. The closing appeal looks toward Christ’s return, the gathering of his people, and eternal life in his kingdom. These themes align with biblical promises that God provides refuge, wipes away tears, and brings his people into enduring fellowship. The hymn therefore joins a prayer for present preservation with confidence in final restoration under God’s reign.
Related Scripture
- Psalm 61:2-3 The psalm asks God to lead the distressed singer to a higher rock and affirms him as refuge.
- Isaiah 25:8 The passage promises that the Lord will swallow up death and wipe away tears.
- Revelation 21:3-4 God dwells with his people where death, mourning, and pain pass away.