1
I know not what awaits me,
God kindly veils my eyes,
And o’er each step of my onward way
He makes new scenes to rise;
And every joy He sends me comes
A sweet and glad surprise.
God kindly veils my eyes,
And o’er each step of my onward way
He makes new scenes to rise;
And every joy He sends me comes
A sweet and glad surprise.
Where He may lead I’ll follow,
My trust in Him repose;
And every hour in perfect peace,
I’ll sing, “He knows, He knows”;
And every hour in perfect peace,
I’ll sing, “He knows, He knows.”
My trust in Him repose;
And every hour in perfect peace,
I’ll sing, “He knows, He knows”;
And every hour in perfect peace,
I’ll sing, “He knows, He knows.”
2
One step I see before me,
’Tis all I need to see,
The light of heaven more brightly shines
When earth’s illusions flee;
And sweetly through the silence comes,
His loving, “Trust in Me!”
’Tis all I need to see,
The light of heaven more brightly shines
When earth’s illusions flee;
And sweetly through the silence comes,
His loving, “Trust in Me!”
3
Oh, blissful lack of wisdom,
’Tis blessed not to know;
He holds me with His own right hand,
And will not let me go,
And lulls my troubled soul to rest
In Him who loves me so.
’Tis blessed not to know;
He holds me with His own right hand,
And will not let me go,
And lulls my troubled soul to rest
In Him who loves me so.
4
So on I go not knowing;
I would not if I might;
I’d rather walk in the dark with God
Than go alone in the light;
I’d rather walk by faith with Him
Than go alone by sight.
I would not if I might;
I’d rather walk in the dark with God
Than go alone in the light;
I’d rather walk by faith with Him
Than go alone by sight.
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Seattle, Washington, United States
Mary Brainard wrote this song that will never be outdated. Beautiful words for all time, even now as we wait in quarinteen to see where the situation with the coronavirus goes. Another of many reminders that our Lord God knows everything ahead of time and He's got the whole world in His hands.
Ashland, OR, United States
Beautiful hymn and music!!
Cypress, CA, United States
He knows, He knows.. that's faith..
Austin, Texas, United States
Lord! Keep me following You throughout all the days of my life! Thank You Lord, You know!!
Tolland, Connecticut, United States
Mary G Brainard was born June 19, 1837 in New London, Connecticut and died November 30th, 1905.
She was the daughter of William Fowler Brainard, a New London lawyer whose younger brother was the poet John Gardiner Calkins Brainard.
Her grandfather was a judge in the Connecticut Supreme Court- a descendant of Lion Gardiner- an early English settler and soldier who founded the first English settlement in what became New York. Gardiner’s Island remains the possession of the family and the largest privately known island in the U. S.
Mary’s poem “Not Knowing “ first appeared in “The Congregational” in March of 1869. In 1870 it was set to music by Phillip Paul Bliss. He also rearranged some of the words. The original hymn has never been found.
Marsden Park, NSW, Australia
My mother used to sing this song to us 70 years ago and I've not heard it since though I've often quoted the last verse. Today my wife and I were discussing it upon hearing of the death of a friend so I googled the words I remembered and what a lovely surprise and blessing...Thank you!
Houston, Texas, United States
He knows, He knows.
Leduc, AB, Canada
Where He may lead I'll follow;
My trust in Him repose
And every hour in perfect peace;
I will sing "He knows, He knows"
Amen...Lord I trust and believe in You.
Detroit, MI, United States
Mr. Bliss lost his life in the terrible railroad wreck at Ashtabula, Ohio. His trunk, however, reached Chicago safely, as it had gone before by another train. In his trunk was discovered this hymn.
Mr. Bliss had rearranged the words of the poem to some extent, and had composed the tune. Sentence by sentence, the words are full of pathetic [archaic use meaning "sorrowful"] interest in connection with the author’s sudden death so soon afterward. - Story of Gospel Hymns by Ira Sankey
Rhode Island, United States
I was diagnosised with breast cancer in August of 2011 and have had to make numerous decisions that were very difficult. Many times throughout the day (morning, noon and even 2 AM) I would come to this song and my heart, mind and soul would be refocused!! Praise God for the comfort He gives us in times of trials!!