Josh Wilson - Know By Now Lyrics
Lyrics
So it all went wrong
I started singing that sad sad song
So convinced that I was on my own
God I know
That you won't leave
Guess I let it slip my memory
Fast as I could count to 1-2-3-forgetful me
Whoa
Here I go again
Why do I forget you're always faithful
Whoa
How many times have I seen
You give me just what I need
Whoa
Here I go again
I forget you're gonna work it out somehow
You'd think that I'd know by now
Well I'd like to learn to live by faith
As the flowers of the field must say
Worry doesn't add a single day
Oh God I pray
You'll help me see
When I'm looking at my history
All the ways you've taken care of me
I wanna believe but
Whoa
Here I go again
Why do I forget you're always faithful
Whoa
How many times have I seen
You give me just what I need
Whoa
Here I go again
I forget you're gonna work it out somehow
You'd think that I'd know by now
That you are always in control
I should know by now
That you're gonna work it out
But this shadow of a doubt wont let me go-o-o-o
Here I go again
Why do I forget you're always faithful
Whoa
How many times have I seen
You give me just what I need
Whoa
Here I go again
I forget you're gonna work it out somehow
You're gonna work it out somehow
You'd think that I'd know by now
Video
Know By Now
Meaning & Inspiration
Josh Wilson’s deeply resonant song, "Know By Now," released on February 4, 2011, as part of his album *See You*, offers an honest and relatable confession about the human tendency to forget God's unwavering faithfulness amidst life's challenges. The song’s narrative unfolds as a personal reflection on the cycle of doubt and remembrance, articulating a spiritual struggle familiar to many. Wilson bravely shares his vulnerability, laying bare the common experience of falling back into worry and a sense of isolation, even after countless instances of divine intervention and care. It’s a candid look at the gap between intellectual assent to God's character and the moment-by-moment practice of trusting Him, essentially asking why, despite all evidence, faith remains a battle.
The core message of "Know By Now" centers on this cyclical pattern of forgetting and being reminded of God's steadfastness. The opening lines immediately plunge into a moment of crisis, where circumstances "went wrong," leading the singer to feel "on my own." This immediate dip into despair, despite an underlying knowledge that God "won't leave," highlights the fragility of human memory in times of distress. This forgetfulness is a profound theme throughout Scripture, from the Israelites’ repeated failures to remember God's miracles in the wilderness, as chronicled in the book of Exodus and Numbers, to King David’s own laments in the Psalms (Psalm 77:11). Wilson's recognition of himself as "forgetful me" mirrors this ancient human struggle, a testament to our inclination to lose sight of divine promises when faced with present difficulties, even though God explicitly states, "I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Deuteronomy 31:6, Hebrews 13:5).
The recurring chorus serves as a self-interrogation: "Why do I forget you're always faithful?" This poignant question acknowledges God's consistent nature—His faithfulness that "endures through all generations" (Psalm 100:5) and whose "mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning" (Lamentations 3:22-23). The singer recounts having seen God provide "just what I need" countless times, echoing the biblical assurance that "my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19). This isn't about wants, but essential provisions, a truth Jesus Himself taught when urging against anxiety, assuring that our Heavenly Father knows what we need (Matthew 6:32). The lament "I forget you're gonna work it out somehow" connects directly to the promise in Romans 8:28, which assures believers that "in all things God works for the good of those who love him." Despite knowing these truths, the human heart often struggles to embrace them fully, leading to the exasperated, yet deeply relatable, conclusion: "You'd think that I'd know by now."
As the song progresses, Wilson expresses a deep longing to cultivate a life of unwavering faith. He desires "to learn to live by faith," a spiritual discipline emphasized throughout the Bible (Hebrews 11:6). His reference to the "flowers of the field" and the futility of worry—that "worry doesn't add a single day"—is a direct and powerful echo of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:27-28). Here, Jesus instructs His followers to observe nature and trust in God's provision, demonstrating that anxiety is not only counterproductive but also demonstrates a lack of trust in our Creator. Wilson’s prayer, "Oh God I pray, You'll help me see, When I'm looking at my history, All the ways you've taken care of me," is a profound cry for spiritual insight and a call to intentional remembrance. This act of recalling God's past interventions is vital for building future trust, a practice repeatedly encouraged in Scripture, as seen in Psalms like Psalm 103:2, which urges us to "forget not all his benefits."
The bridge of the song brings this spiritual struggle to its most vulnerable point, acknowledging the intellectual conviction that God "is always in control" (Psalm 103:19, Daniel 4:35) and "gonna work it out," yet confessing that "this shadow of a doubt won't let me go." This raw admission captures the essence of faith not as an absence of doubt, but as trust in the midst of it. It beautifully illustrates the ongoing battle against unbelief, a sentiment that resonates with the man in Mark 9:24 who cried out to Jesus, "I believe; help my unbelief!" "Know By Now" ultimately serves as an anthem for the imperfect believer, a testament to the persistent human struggle with trust and remembrance, yet also a hopeful declaration of God's unchanging nature. It encourages listeners not to despair in their moments of doubt, but to actively recall God's past faithfulness and lean into His sovereign control, trusting that He will indeed work things out, even when our short-sightedness prevents us from seeing the path ahead. The song powerfully reminds us that faith is a journey, and our consistent need for God's grace and remembrance of His character is a central part of that walk.