I Know Whom I have Believed

"I know not" opens nearly every line of the verses in this hymn, and the refrain gives the one thing the singer does know: "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." That wording is 2 Timothy 1:12 nearly verbatim.

The first two verses wonder at grace. "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," and "I know not how this saving faith to me He did impart, nor how believing in His Word wrought peace within my heart." The wonder at unearned salvation matches Ephesians 2:8, and the third verse adds that the Spirit moves "convincing men of sin, revealing Jesus through the Word," as in John 16:8.

The last verses face the future with the same admission of ignorance: "I know not what of good or ill may be reserved for me, of weary ways or golden days, before His face I see," and "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." The hope of His return is the kind Titus 2:13 describes.