CHRISTIAN LIFE >> FAITH & TRUST
SDAH 511
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.
Text
1
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.
Refrain
But “I know whom I have believed,
and am persuaded that His is able
To keep that which I’ve committed
Unto Him against that day.”
2
I know not how this saving faith
To me He did impart,
Nor how believing in His word
Wrought peace within my heart.
3
I know not how the Spirit moves,
Convincing men of sin,
Revealing Jesus through the word,
Creating faith in Him.
4
I know not when my Lord may come,
At night or noonday fair,
Nor if I walk the vale with Him,
Or meet Him in the air.
Hymn Info
Biblical Reference
(a) Tit 2:11 (b) Rom 12:3 (c) John 16:8 (d) Mark 13:32; 1 Thess 4:7 (r) 2 Tim 1:12
Author
Daniel W. Whittle (1840-1901)
Year Published
1883
Metrical Number
C.M.Ref.
Composer
James McGranahan (1840-1907)
Year Composed
1883
Theme
FAITH AND TRUST
Hymn Score
Piano Accompaniment
Notes
Get to know the hymns a little deeper with the SDA Hymnal Companion. Use our song leader’s notes to engage your congregation in singing with understanding. Even better, involve kids in learning this hymn with our homeschooling materials.
We tend to wonder why God allows pain, destruction and disappointments. Sometimes we also thought why did God sacrifice Jesus to die on the cross just to save a sinner like us. Whatever questions we have regarding God’s judgements and ways, this hymn reminds us that we have a God who is able to do anything and our part is to only believe in Him. (Lesson 6, 1st Quarter 2021 -Sunday, Doom on the Nations, 1/31/2021)
Some are saying that promises are made to be broken. Actually, it depends on who is making the promise. In God’s case, all His promises are made to be fulfilled because His Word is true and He is the One whose promises will never be broken. (Lesson 12, 2nd Quarter 2021 -Thursday, Resting on the Promises, 6/17/2021)
Major Daniel W. Whittle (1840-1901; see SDAH 195), a successful evangelist in America and England during the late nineteenth century, wrote these words under his pseudonym El Nathan. It is based on 2 Timothy 1:12: “For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” The refrain is a musical setting of this final long phrase, word for word.
James McGranahan (1840-1901; see SDAH 195) was singing evangelist with Major Whittle for some 11 years. He printed this song in Gospel Hymns No. 4, 1883.
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