I Know Whom I Have Believed

EL NATHAN

I. Background & Publication

This enduring gospel hymn is the work of lyricist Daniel W. Whittle (1840–1901) and composer James McGranahan (1840–1907). Whittle and McGranahan were both associated with the evangelistic work of Dwight L. Moody. Moody had recruited Whittle in Chicago when Whittle was treasurer for the Elgin watch company and a prominent Sunday School teacher. In 1874, Whittle committed to full-time evangelistic preaching ministry, initially paired with musician Philip P. Bliss (1838–1876).[1]

McGranahan had been working for music publisher George F. Root as a director and teacher for Root’s Normal Musical Institute when he was approached by Bliss to enter the field of traveling evangelistic ministry. According to biographer J.H. Hall:

Only a week previous to the Ashtabula disaster [of 29 December 1876], Mr. Bliss wrote a letter to Mr. McGranahan on this subject. Before sending it he read it to Major Whittle with whom he had been discussing the matter as to what evangelist they should select to associate with Mr. McGranahan should he consent to take up the work. On the morning after the disaster Major Whittle and Mr. McGranahan met for the first time at Ashtubula, both on the same errand of mercy—that of recovering, if possible, the bodies of their dear friends, Mr. and Mrs. Bliss. Upon meeting Mr. McGranahan, Major Whittle's first thought was: “Here stands the man that Mr. Bliss has chosen as his successor.” They went back to Chicago together, talked over the matter and prayed over it. Mr. McGranahan finally decided to give up all his future life to the service of God in song.[2]

Whittle and McGranahan wrote many hymns together, including “There Shall Be Showers of Blessing,” “Come Believing,” “Christ Liveth in Me,” “The Banner of the Cross,” “By Grace Are Ye Saved,” “The Church of God Is One,” and “I Looked to Jesus.” One of their most successful joint compositions has been “I Know Whom I Have Believed,” which was first published in Gospel Hymns No. 5 (1887), edited by McGranahan, Ira Sankey, and George C. Stebbins. In this printing, the copyright was dated 1884, but no earlier printing is known, unless the song had been printed as leaflets for distribution at evangelistic campaigns. According to biographer Mel Wilhoit, the hymn was potentially composed during their campaign in England:

In late 1883 until late June 1884, both Whittle and McGranahan were assisting Moody in a lengthy British Isles revival, as part of his expanded approach, often using his assistants to hold run-out or follow-up meetings. They would have been together for at least 8 months, through the end of June, 1884.[3]

In its initial printing in Gospel Hymns No. 5, the name of the lyricist was shown as “El Nathan.” This was a known pseudonym of Whittle’s.[4] The song was given in five stanzas with a refrain, with a Scripture reference of 2 Timothy 1:12 (“But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me,” KJV).

In the British series, this song was first printed in Additional Sacred Songs and Solos with Standard Hymns (1888).

II. Analysis

1. Scriptural Themes

As evidenced by the clear connection between the Scripture reference of 2 Timothy 1:12 and the refrain of the song, Daniel Whittle was known for having a concern for biblical teaching in his lyrics. As gospel hymn composer George C. Stebbins (1846–1945), who had worked briefly with Whittle, expressed it: “His writings are characterized by faithfulness to Scriptural teaching, and emphasis on the cardinal doctrines.”[5] Whittle himself had once expressed, “I hope that I will never write a hymn that does not contain a message—there are too many hymns that are just a meaningless jingle of words; to do good a hymn must be founded on God’s Word and carry the message of God’s love.”[6]

Mel Wilhoit said of Whittle’s lyrics:

Although the personal element was certainly present in his texts, Whittle’s lyrics are characterized by a sense of objectivity not often present in many texts associated with the revivalistic heritage, One of his most characteristic poetic devices was the use of a highly repetitive refrain or chorus which summarized or answered a question raised in the stanza. Unity between the stanza and chorus was often achieved by the restatement or repetition in the chorus of certain key words included in the stanza. Such traits are clearly evident in Whittle's text, “I know not why God's wondrous grace” (“I Know Whom I Have Believed”). This text illustrates the poet’s simplicity of language, sense of objectivity, and use of a refrain, which includes the repetition of a key word—knows—found in the stanzas.[7]

Regarding the main Scripture reference in 2 Timothy, the editors of the Companion to Church Hymnal (2005) wrote:

The NRSV version is a little easier to grasp: “for I know the one in whom I have put my trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard until that day what I have entrusted to him.” This supports the usual interpretation of this verse, namely that the writer, having entrusted his soul to God, awaits his death and the second coming of our Lord with perfect and serene confidence. That is certainly the interpretation that Whittle would have assumed. It should be pointed out, however, that there are differing opinions on the interpretation of the original Greek, which speaks of “my deposit.” For example, the NRSV offers the alternative “what he has entrusted me” and the J.B. Phillips translation has “I am prefectly certain that the work he has committed to me is safe in his hands until that day.”[8]

In addition to the main text in the refrain, other possible Scripture references include:

Romans 3:24 [Stanza 1] “. . . and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus . . .”

Romans 10:17 [Stanzas 2, 3] “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”

James 4:14 [Stanza 4] “. . . yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.”

Matthew 24:42 [Stanza 5] “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.”

Jude 1:24 [Refrain] “Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy . . .”

The hymn’s structure is reflective of the pattern in Romans 8:30: “Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.”

Methodist scholar Carlton R. Young expressed, “The stanzas of the hymn go beyond Paul’s words to express a sure faith in God through the Son and Holy Spirit, and within human limitations to foresee perfectly the future and to have full understanding of God’s redemptive and graceful acts.”[9]

Overall, the style of the text is also reflective of gospel hymnody, with the text being subjective truth in a personal and persuasive style, both encouraging and confessional, and deeply Gospel-themed.

2. Theological Implications

Five stanzas offer questions and “know not” statements, and one refrain serves as a declarative “I know” statement. The stanzas are connected through common themes, each with a focus on the work of God, not of ourselves. The work of God is spoken of in past, present, and future tenses in the five stanzas. Stanzas one and two discuss the completed work of God through phrases including “hath made,” “redeemed,” “He did,” and “wrought.” Stanza three speaks in the present, ongoing tense of actions, such as “moves,” “convincing,” “revealing,” and “creating.” Stanzas four and five speak in the future tense through “may be,” “may come,” “I’ll walk,” and “meet him.”

These themes, combined with the arch of Romans 8:30, outline deep Gospel truths. God, in grace, love, and mercy, calls us and redeems us (stanza one) and graciously imparts faith and peace to us (stanza two). God sanctifies us (stanza three), ordains our path (stanza four), and sustains and brings us to eternal union with Himself (stanza five).  

Although 2 Timothy 1:12 is the only verse directly quoted, many of the lyrics carry the tone and vocabulary of a larger part of the chapter. Words in bold print indicate vocabulary used in the hymn, and italics indicate thematic content.

(1:8) Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; (9) Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, (10) But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel . . . (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. (13) Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. (14) That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.

3. Poetic Devices

The hymn is in common meter (6.8.6.8) with a refrain. Each stanza carries the rhyme scheme abcb. Several poetic devices are used, including euphony, which is the pleasing and harmonious combination of sounds. This appears in the first stanza through repeated use of the letter w (“I know not why God’s wondrous grace,” “nor why unworthy”). This example also shows alliteration through the repetition of the letter w. Assonance, the repetition of vowel sounds, is used in the refrain (persuaded, able, day). Anaphora, the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive lines or stanzas, is prominent throughout the entire hymn, with each stanza and the refrain beginning with “I know.”

Most significant is the contrast of “I know not” and “I know.” Five stanzas outline important unknowns: I know not why God’s wondrous grace, how this saving faith, how the Spirit moves, what of good or ill, when my Lord may come. The refrain replies: But I know whom I have believed! Whom we know and believe in is of more importance than any why, how, what, and when that we do not know. These poetic devices and biblical references show deep intentionality and a careful sequence of events in the text.

Stanza four is often absent from modern publications. Perhaps it has been omitted due to length or its more serious nature, but the careful structure of this hymn is weakened by the omission of the fourth stanza. This serves as the “what” statement within the systematically ordered why–how–how–what–when sequence. This shows how modern adaptations of older hymns have the potential to obscure the structural integrity if careful thought is not given to the omission of stanzas.

4. Musical analysis

The tune name EL NATHAN was assigned by the editors of The Baptist Hymnal (1956), obviously named after Whittle’s pseudonym. It is a singable tune, spanning only the range of an octave. Its contour is primarily conjunct, with a few leaps strategically placed to bring emphasis. In the stanzas, an ascending sixth brings emphasis to words such as wondrous, Christ, saving, Spirit, and Lord. Adjectives are often emphasized (wondrous grace, saving faith, weary ways, golden days). The largest interval is an octave, appearing in the refrain by leaping to the word “know,” and again to “keep.” The refrain ends on a higher tonic, communicating emphatic confidence in the declaration of the Lord’s sustaining power.

The two phrases of the stanzas are melodically similar, composed of a parallel question and answer (or antecedent / consequent). The rhythm of the music follows natural syllabic emphasis, with downbeats and long notes consistently bringing emphasis to the word “know.” Moving eighth notes bring rhythmic interest and create accented passing tones throughout. This contributes to the uncertainty of “know not.”

“Whom” in the refrain is emphasized by several means. It is longer than surrounding notes and features an octave leap in the bass note. As the entire refrain is one sentence, the repetitive rhythmic patterns encourage momentum.

The simple harmonies, typical of the gospel hymn genre, are readily singable, outlining I, IV, and V harmonies. The stanzas, full of uncertainty, are more notably dominant-focused, while the refrain has more tonic influence. Parallel motion is prominent between the soprano and alto parts, with the tenor part joining in at times. There is very little dissonance, and there is a stable harmonic rhythm.

by EMILY MYERS
with CHRIS FENNER
for Hymnology Archive
4 August 2025

Footnotes:

1. Mel R. Wilhoit, Sing Me a Sankey: The Story of Ira D. Sankey and the Rise of Gospel Hymnody, Volume 1: 1750-1883 (Louisville: Hymnology Archive, 2024), pp. 174, 415–416: Amazon

2. J.H. Hall, Biography of Gospel Song and Hymn Writers (NY: Fleming H. Revell, 1914), p. 193: Archive.org

3. Correspondence with Mel R. Wilhoit, 18 June 2025.

4. Whittle’s pseudonym has been confirmed by reputable sources, such as George C. Stebbins, Reminiscences and Gospel Hymn Stories (NY: George H. Doran, 1924), p. 263, and J.H. Hall, Biography of Gospel Song and Hymn Writers (1914), p. 195.

5. Stebbins, Reminiscences and Gospel Hymn Stories (1924), p. 263.

6. J.H. Hall, Biography of Gospel Song and Hymn Writers (1914), p. 188.

7. Mel R. Wilhoit, A Guide to the Principal Authors and Composers of Gospel Song of the Nineteenth Century, dissertation (Louisville: Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 1982), p. 320: SBTS

8. Edward Darling & Donald Davison, “I know not why God’s wondrous grace,” Companion to Church Hymnal (Dublin: Columba, 2005), p. 761.

9. Carlton R. Young, “I know whom I have believed,” Companion to the United Methodist Hymnal (Nashville: Abingdon, 1993), p. 416.

Related Resources:

Bert Polman, “I know not why God’s wondrous grace,” Psalter Hymnal Handbook (Grand Rapids: CRC, 1998). pp. 664–665.

Robert Cottrill, “I Know Whom I Have Believed,” Wordwise (21 Dec. 2012):
https://wordwisebiblestudies.com/i-know-whom-i-have-believed/