"I Am Not Skilled To Understand"

The hymn “I Am Not Skilled To Understand” was written by Dorothy Greenwell (1821-1882).  Sometimes known as “Dora,” Ms. Greenwell lived in the rectory in Northumberland, England in 1848.  She wrote poems and hymns.  “I Am Not Skilled to Understand” was published in 1873, in the hymnal Songs of Sal­va­tion.

American Christian music composer, William James Kirkpatrick (1838-1921) wrote the melody for the hymn “I Am Not Skilled To Understand.”  Although Kirkpatrick’s family was musical, he began his education learning the trade of carpentry.  But finding that he spent most of his spare time with music, he soon became more involved in the Christian music industry.

“I Am Not Skilled To Understand”

I am not skilled to understand
What God hath willed, what God hath planned;
I only know that at His right hand
Is One Who is my Savior!

I take Him at His word indeed;
“Christ died for sinners”—this I read;
For in my heart I find a need
Of Him to be my Savior!

That He should leave His place on high
And come for sinful man to die,
You count it strange? So once did I,
Before I knew my Savior!

And oh, that He fulfilled may see
The travail of His soul in me,
And with His work contented be,
As I with my dear Savior!

Yea, living, dying, let me bring
My strength, my solace from this Spring;
That He Who lives to be my King
Once died to be my Savior!

After her death, William Morling wrote Dorothy Greenwell’s memoirs.  William Kirkpatrick entitled the tune to the hymn “I Am Not Skilled to Understand” after her: “Greenwell.”

“I Am Not Skilled To Understand”

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