I do not know what lies ahead

Authors:
Themes:
Scriptures:
  • Psalms 139:16
  • Psalms 25:4-5
  • Psalms 39:4
  • Psalms 48:14
  • Psalms 73:23-24
  • Psalms 90:12
  • Proverbs 27:1
  • Ecclesiastes 10:14
  • Ecclesiastes 8:7
  • Isaiah 58:11
  • Jeremiah 29:11
  • Matthew 6:34
  • Acts 20:22
  • Romans 8:28
  • Philippians 4:5
  • James 4:13-14
  • 1 Peter 1:5
Book Number:
  • 871

I do not know what lies ahead,
the way I cannot see;
yet one stands near to be my guide;
he’ll show the way to me.

I know who holds the future,
and he’ll guide me with his hand.
With God things don’t just happen;
everything by him is planned.
So as I face tomorrow
with its problems large and small,
I’ll trust the God of miracles,
give to him my all.

2. I do not know how many days
of life are mine to spend;
but one who knows and cares for me
will keep me to the end.

3. I do not know the course ahead,
what joys and griefs are there;
but one is near who fully knows;
I’ll trust his loving care.

© 1958 New Spring / Imagem / Small Stone Media / Adm. by Song Solutions Daybreak
Alfred B Smith and Eugene Clarke

The Christian Life - Guidance

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Tune

  • I Do Not Know
    I Do Not Know
    Metre:
    • CM with refrain
    Composer:
    • Alfred B Smith & Eugene Clarke

The story behind the hymn

In some ways this is an earlier counterpart to the previous item, but in a different genre. The American writers Alfred B Smith and Eugene Clarke are credited jointly with the words and music, which were copyrighted in 1947 and 1958 by Singspiration Inc, and published in song collections from that source. Some of these booklets came into use in Britain, and the popularity of this song was confirmed and enhanced by its inclusion in Youth Praise (1966), followed by Family Worship (1971) and other books. The practical language of many of its lines, together with a simple, singable tune, clearly touches many people and expresses what they want to sing. It is also true to the same biblical doctrines as 870.

The tune I DO NOT KNOW is arranged for the present book by Pandina Lam.

A look at the authors

Clarke, Eugene

b ?USA. A 20th-c author who has collaborated with Alfred Smith, qv. Their best known song in the UK has featured, sometimes anonymously, in books at least from 1966 (Youth Praise) onwards; also in GH. No.871.

Smith, Alfred B

see Author index. No.871.