Lyrics: Thomas Chisholm, 1923.
Music: William M. Runyan.
Theme: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23.
Thomas Obadiah Chisholm was an ordinary man; he sometimes described himself as “an old shoe.” He was, at various times in his life, a country schoolteacher, editor of a small newspaper, a pastor who had to leave the pastorate because of ill health, and a life insurance agent. He wrote over 1200 poems and sent some of the them to WIlliam Runyan, a musician associated with Moody Bible Institute. Runyan took the poem Great Is thy Faithfulness and set it to music that he thought would bring out its theme of the faithfulness of a God whose mercies are new every morning. At age 75, Mr. Chisholm wrote these words in a letter:
“My income has not been large at any time due to impaired health in the earlier years which has followed me on until now. Although I must not fail to record here the unfailing faithfulness of a covenant-keeping God and that He has given me many wonderful displays of His providing care, for which I am filled with astonishing gratefulness.”
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.
Refrain:
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
Sources:
Worship Matters: A Hymn for Ordinary Christians.
BIble.org Sermon on God’s Faithfulness
Suite 101: Great Is Thy Faithfulness