Daniel Webster Whittle Grave

Author: I Know Whom I Have Believed

“Many years have passed since that night in the Richmond Hospital, and I am still trusting and confessing the Lord Jesus Christ, and purpose by God’s grace to continue doing so until He calls me Home.” (Daniel Webster Whittle)

The Origins of the Hymn “I Know Whom I Have Believed”

Many beloved hymns of the church are born out of personal testimonies of faith. One such hymn is “I Know Whom I Have Believed,” a song that has encouraged Christians for well over a century with its bold declaration of trust in Christ. Its origins can be traced to the late nineteenth century, and the story of its creation reflects both the deep piety of its author and the enduring power of Scripture to inspire song.

The Hymn Writer: Daniel Webster Whittle

The text of “I Know Whom I Have Believed” was written by Daniel Webster Whittle (1840–1901), a Civil War veteran who became a noted evangelist and hymn writer. Born in Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts, Whittle was named after the famous statesman Daniel Webster. As a young man, he worked in business before enlisting in the Union Army during the Civil War.

While serving, Whittle was seriously wounded at the Battle of Vicksburg and lost the use of his right arm. During his recovery, he read the Bible and came to a personal faith in Christ. After the war, he left secular work to devote his life to full-time Christian service. He became closely associated with the evangelistic work of Dwight L. Moody, serving as both preacher and writer.

Whittle’s hymns were often signed with the pseudonym “El Nathan,” a name that appeared in many gospel songbooks of the era. He wrote around 200 hymns, including “Moment by Moment” and “There Shall Be Showers of Blessing.” His texts were widely used in revival meetings, where their personal and testimonial style resonated with large audiences.

The Scriptural Inspiration

The hymn “I Know Whom I Have Believed” takes its inspiration directly from 2 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.” In this verse, the apostle Paul expresses unwavering confidence in Christ, even while facing suffering and persecution.

Whittle drew upon this verse as the foundation for his hymn, crafting stanzas that reflected both the mystery of God’s ways and the certainty of His promises. The hymn acknowledges what believers cannot fully understand—such as how God saves or how the Spirit moves—but answers each mystery with the refrain: “But I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able.”

This balance between the unknown and the known gives the hymn its power. It admits human limitation while expressing complete confidence in God’s faithfulness.

The Composer: James McGranahan

The tune most often associated with the hymn was composed by James McGranahan (1840–1907), a close friend and collaborator of Whittle. McGranahan, an accomplished musician, wrote melodies for many of Whittle’s texts. His musical style was marked by clarity and strength, making his tunes particularly well-suited for congregational singing.

McGranahan’s setting of “I Know Whom I Have Believed” captures the hymn’s assurance with a bold, rising refrain. The music reinforces the confidence expressed in the words, encouraging singers to proclaim their faith with conviction. Together, Whittle’s text and McGranahan’s tune created a hymn that was both theologically rich and musically memorable.

Publication and Early Use

The hymn was first published in 1883 in Gospel Hymns No. 4, one of the influential collections edited by Ira D. Sankey, Dwight L. Moody’s music leader. These gospel hymnals spread rapidly across the United States and Britain, carried by revival meetings and church gatherings.

“I Know Whom I Have Believed” quickly became a favorite among congregations. Its straightforward language, biblical grounding, and stirring melody made it an ideal hymn for public worship. Revival audiences especially embraced it as a declaration of faith in Christ amid life’s uncertainties.

The Message and Its Appeal

What sets this hymn apart is its honesty. Whittle does not claim to understand the mysteries of salvation or the details of God’s plan. Instead, he points believers to the central truth: trust in the One who holds all things. This message has universal appeal, for every Christian faces questions they cannot answer. The hymn teaches that faith does not depend on having all the answers, but on knowing the One who does.

The refrain serves almost like a creed, affirming the believer’s confidence in Christ’s ability to keep what has been entrusted to Him. In this way, the hymn functions as both personal testimony and corporate confession of faith.

Conclusion

The origins of “I Know Whom I Have Believed” lie in the life and ministry of Daniel W. Whittle, a soldier turned evangelist who devoted his talents to spreading the gospel. Inspired by Paul’s words in 2 Timothy 1:12, Whittle crafted a hymn that acknowledges human limitations while exalting divine faithfulness.

With James McGranahan’s stirring melody, the hymn became a mainstay of gospel hymnals and revival meetings, carrying its message of assurance to countless believers. More than a century later, it continues to be sung in churches worldwide, reminding Christians that while they may not understand all of God’s ways, they can rest in this unshakable truth: “I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able.”