In days of peace and days of rest
In times of loss and loneliness
Though rich or poor, Your word is true
That all my ways are known to You
No trial has come beyond Your hand
No step I walk beyond Your plan
The path is dark outside my view
Still all my ways are known to You
And oh what peace that I have found
Wherever I may be
For all my ways are known to You
Hallelujah, they are known to You!
I do not fear the final night
For death will be the door to life
You take my hand and lead me through
For all my ways are known to You
Open up my eyes so I may see
That You have made these ways for me
Open up my eyes so I may see
That You my God, will walk with me
Words and music by
Jonny Robinson, Rich Thompson, Michael Farren, Dustin Smith
All My Ways Are Known To You
All My Ways Are Known To You Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
Released on December 21, 2016, CityAlight's song "All My Ways Are Known To You" has resonated with many through its profound declaration of God's intimate knowledge of our lives. The central theme revolves around the comfort and peace derived from the understanding that every aspect of our journey, from the mundane to the monumental, is fully known to the Creator. It anchors faith in the steadfast truth of God's omnipresence and sovereignty.
The song was penned by Jonny Robinson, Rich Thompson, Michael Farren, and Dustin Smith. Their collaboration yielded lyrics that traverse various life circumstances, affirming God's constant awareness. Whether experiencing seasons of rest and prosperity or facing times of difficulty and isolation, the song asserts the unchanging truth of God's knowing. It highlights that no challenge or uncertainty falls outside the scope of His awareness or control, even when the path ahead seems unclear to us.
A significant source of peace highlighted in the song is the realization that this comprehensive knowledge God possesses is not distant or abstract, but personal and encompassing of each individual's path. This awareness leads to a sense of security, transforming potential anxiety into a declaration of praise – "Hallelujah, they are known to You!" – recognizing the inherent comfort and divine oversight this truth provides.
The song also confronts the ultimate human uncertainty: death. Rather than viewing it as an end, it presents it as a transition, a "door to life," which is also known and guided by God. This perspective offers a powerful message of hope, reinforcing the idea that even in the final moments, believers are not alone but are led by God through the transition.
The lyrics include a prayer for spiritual insight, asking for eyes to see that the circumstances of life, the "ways," are intentionally purposed by God. It's a request for clarity to recognize His hand in shaping our journey and, crucially, to see that He promises to walk alongside us through every step. This reinforces the active presence of God not just in knowing our way, but in accompanying us on it.
The themes explored in the song are deeply rooted in biblical truth. For instance, Psalm 139 speaks extensively about God's intimate knowledge of our thoughts, words, and paths, affirming that He knows us completely even before we are born. Jeremiah 29:11 speaks to God having plans for our future, offering hope. Proverbs 3:5-6 encourages trusting in the Lord with all our heart and not leaning on our own understanding, acknowledging Him in all our ways so that He will make our paths straight – echoing the idea of His guidance. Philippians 4:6-7 promises that if we bring our requests to God with thanksgiving, His peace, which surpasses all understanding, will guard our hearts and minds, connecting God's knowing with the peace it brings. The concept of death as a transition to life is central to Christian theology, highlighted in passages like John 14:6, where Jesus declares Himself the way, the truth, and the life, and promises of resurrection and eternal life for believers found in scriptures such as Romans 8:38-39 and 1 Corinthians 15. These scriptural foundations lend depth and authority to the song's message of comfort, peace, and trust in God's sovereign knowledge and guidance.
