I KNOW WHOM I HAVE BELIEVED

Some hymns, such as this one, are great hymns of testimony which share a believer's experience and hope.  This one is based on the great scripture passage proclaimed by Paul, in II Timothy 1:12 , "…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."   This hymn was written by Major Daniel Webster Whittle and was originally published in 1883, one of about two hundred hymns composed by Major Whittle.  At the age of twenty-one, Whittle joined the 72nd Illinois Infantry, enlisting in Company B as a Second Lieutenant. Later he rose to the rank of Major on General O.O. Howard's staff. He was with General Sherman on his march to the sea and was later wounded at the battle of Vicksburg. While leading a charge, he was wounded in his sword arm which led to the amputation of his arm and a stay in a prisoner of war camp. It was while he was in this POW camp that out of boredom he began to search for something to read. He found in his personal effects a little New Testament that his Mother had placed there. He read through the New Testament in a matter of days and started through it again.  This led to a rededication of his life to the Lord.  Upon his recovery and return home, he met the noted evangelist, D.L. Moody and that changed the course of Whittle's life. After a rather brief time in business with the Elgin Watch Company, he was persuaded by Moody to enter full-time evangelistic work. Soon he became known as one of the leading evangelists of his day.  Whittle always worked with a gospel singer and song leader.  His first such associate was Philip P. Bliss, whose tragic death in a train wreck in 1876 ended a most happy relationship. James McGranahan succeeded Bliss as Major Whittle's singing companion. The greater number of Whittle's more than two hundred hymn texts were set to music by McGranahan.  While I could find nothing about the actual writing of this hymn, it must have been a result of his personal experience and conviction.  And in the decades since its writing it has become a favorite of believers around the world.  Hopefully this is your testimony.  May your personal experience enable you to sing these words with conviction throughout this week.

(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.

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.

(2)     I know not how this saving faith

To me He did impart,

Nor how believing in His Word

Wrought peace within my heart.

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.

(3)     I know not how the Spirit moves,

Convincing us of sin,

Revealing Jesus through the Word,

Creating faith in Him.

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.

(4)    I know not what of good or ill

May be reserved for me,

Of weary ways or golden days,

Before His face I see.

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.

(5)     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.

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.

Listen to it being sung here.   LISTEN