Lyrics
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
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
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, 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
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Meaning & Inspiration
All I Once Held Dear centers on the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus. The opening contrasts former sources of status and security with the righteousness received through faith. Its language closely echoes Paul’s willingness to count every gain as loss when compared with knowing Christ. The recurring confession presents Christ not merely as a benefit but as joy, righteousness, and the highest good.
The later verses deepen that confession through a desire to share in Christ’s risen life, sufferings, and death. That movement gives the song a distinctly devotional character: discipleship is portrayed as union with Christ rather than personal achievement. Hope rests in a gift that cannot be earned, while love for the Lord becomes the answer to grace. Philippians 3 provides the clearest biblical background, and the lyric’s contrast between worldly gain and life in Christ keeps the focus on faith, transformation, and resurrection hope.
Related Scripture
- Philippians 3:8-10 Paul counts former gains as loss in order to know Christ, His resurrection power, and His sufferings.
- Philippians 3:9 Paul contrasts self-earned righteousness with righteousness received through faith in Christ.