A Story of the Hymn, “I know Whom I have Believed” by William Petersen

“It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” That’s what we say when job hunting, but it’s also a foundational Christian truth. You can study an entire lifetime to try to discover who God is and how to reach him. But it all comes down to one question: Do you know Jesus?

As a POW during the Civil War, Daniel Whittle began reading the New Testament his mother had given him as he marched off to war, and he committed his life to Jesus Christ.

After the war, Whittle was promoted to the rank of major and then became a successful businessman. In 1873 he began preaching in evangelistic services, and for a quarter century he led revivals throughout the United States. He also encouraged some of the leading songwriters of his time and wrote many hymns himself, including “Showers of Blessing” and “Moment by Moment.” Whittle penned this hymn in 1883, perhaps thinking back to questions he had asked during his imprisonment. There were still many things he didn’t know, but he certainly did know Jesus.

Scriptures: John 14:6; Romans 8:38; 2 Timothy 1:12

Themes: Confidence, Trust, Faith

Lyrics of the Hymn:

I know not why God’s wondrous grace

To me He hath made known,

Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love

Redeemed me for His own.

But “I know whom I have believed,

And am persuaded that He is able

To keep that which I’ve committed

Unto Him against that day.”

I know not how this saving faith

To me He did impart,

Nor how believing in His Word

Wrought peace within my heart.

I know not how the Spirit moves,

Convincing men of sin,

Revealing Jesus through the Word,

Creating faith in Him.

I know not when my Lord may come,

At night or noonday fair,

Nor if I’ll walk the vale with Him,

Or “meet Him in the air.”

By DANIEL WEBSTER WHITTLE (1840–1901)

Reference for the Hymn:

Petersen, William. The Complete Book of Hymns (pp. 338-339). Tyndale House Publishers. Kindle Edition.