All I once held dear, built my life upon
All this world reveres, and wars to own
All I once thought gain I have counted loss
Spent and worthless now, compared to this
Knowing you, Jesus
Knowing you, there is no greater thing
You're my all, you're the best
You're my joy, my righteousness
And I love you, Lord
Now my heart's desire is to know you more
To be found in you and known as yours
To possess by faith what I could not earn
All-surpassing gift of righteousness
Oh, to know the power of your risen life
And to know You in Your sufferings
To become like you in your death, my Lord
So with you to live and never die
Knowing You Video
Knowing You Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
Knowing You: A Song of Deepening Relationship with Christ
Introduction
"Knowing You" is a popular Christian song written by Graham Kendrick. It has become a beloved worship song in many churches and has resonated with believers around the world. This song beautifully expresses the desire to know Jesus more deeply and to have a personal relationship with Him.
Main Key Messages of the Song
The song "Knowing You" begins with the acknowledgment that there are many things in this world that we once held dear and built our lives upon. These things may include worldly possessions, accomplishments, and pursuits that the world reveres and wars to own. However, the songwriter recognizes that all these things are fleeting and temporary compared to knowing Jesus. The lyrics state, "All I once thought gain I have counted loss, spent and worthless now, compared to this." The central message of the song is the surpassing value of knowing Jesus above all else.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the significance of knowing Jesus. It declares, "Knowing you, Jesus, knowing you, there is no greater thing. You're my all, you're the best, you're my joy, my righteousness, and I love you, Lord." Here, the songwriter expresses the deep affection and devotion that comes from knowing Jesus. He acknowledges that Jesus is the source of joy, righteousness, and ultimate satisfaction.
The second verse of the song builds upon the theme of knowing Jesus. It speaks of the heart's desire to know Jesus more and to be found in Him. The lyrics state, "Now my heart's desire is to know you more, to be found in you and known as yours, to possess by faith what I could not earn, all-surpassing gift of righteousness." This verse highlights the importance of intimacy with Jesus and the desire to be identified with Him.
The bridge of the song further expands on the theme of knowing Jesus. It reflects on the power of His resurrection and the desire to share in His sufferings. The lyrics state, "Oh, to know the power of your risen life and to know You in Your sufferings, to become like you in your death, my Lord, so with you to live and never die." This bridge encapsulates the Christian's longing to be united with Christ in both His glorious resurrection and His sacrificial sufferings.
Meaning of the Song and Song Story
The song "Knowing You" carries a deep spiritual meaning. It speaks of the transformative power of knowing Jesus and the intimate relationship that believers can have with Him. The lyrics convey a longing to prioritize Jesus above all worldly pursuits and to find ultimate fulfillment in Him.
In terms of the song's inspiration or song story, Graham Kendrick shared that it was written in response to a request from a major Christian conference in the UK. The conference organizers asked songwriters to consider writing specific material to accompany the Bible readings and teaching at their event. Kendrick chose the book of Philippians as his inspiration, particularly focusing on the passage where Paul declares his desire to know Christ above all else.
Biblical Analysis of the Song
The song "Knowing You" is deeply rooted in biblical truth and aligns with the teachings of Scripture. It echoes the apostle Paul's words in Philippians 3:8 where he states, "Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord." The central message of the song, prioritizing the knowledge of Jesus above worldly gain, is consistent with Paul's exhortation to the Philippians.
Furthermore, the desire to know Jesus more intimately is a biblical concept. In Philippians 3:10, Paul expresses his yearning to "know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death." This aligns with the bridge of the song, which acknowledges the power of Christ's risen life and the desire to share in His sufferings.
The theme of righteousness through faith is also present in the song. In Philippians 3:9, Paul speaks of not having a righteousness of his own but one that comes through faith in Christ. The lyrics of the second verse reflect this biblical truth by acknowledging the surpassing gift of righteousness that is obtained through faith.
Conclusion
"Knowing You" by Graham Kendrick is a powerful song that expresses the longing to know Jesus more deeply and to have a personal relationship with Him. Its main key messages revolve around the surpassing value of knowing Jesus above all else, the joy and satisfaction that come from knowing Him, and the desire to share in His sufferings and resurrection. The song is firmly rooted in biblical truth, drawing from the apostle Paul's teachings in Philippians. "Knowing You" has resonated with believers around the world and continues to be a cherished worship song that encourages a deeper relationship with Christ.
