Great Is Thy Faithfulness
Lyrics by Thomas O. Chisholm, 1866-1960
Music by William M. Runyan, 1870-1957
"Remember my affliction and my wandering, the wormwood and bitterness. Surely my soul remembers and is bowed down within me. This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. The LORD’S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. ‘The LORD is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘Therefore I have hope in Him’" (Lam.3:19-24).
Some of the greatest hymns of the Christian faith were born in the midst of a significant experience. Hymns have been written after experiencing the power and greatness of our God in an immense storm. They have been composed while enduring the tremendous sorrow and grief that can accompany the loss of a loved one. Hymns have been penned in the midst of incessant affliction. “Great is Thy Faithfulness” has no such story. In fact, the life of Thomas O. Chisholm was rather unassuming.
Thomas O. Chisholm was born in Franklin, Kentucky, in 1866. He became a Christian at the age of 27 and was ordained a minister at the age of 36 without any formal seminary training. He served the Lord and His people in this capacity for only one year and had to discontinue due to poor health. His health often left him bed ridden for extended periods of time, which forced him to work extra hours at various jobs just to make ends meet. In the time he was confined to bed, he often wrote poetry and authored over 1,200 poems throughout his life of 93 years. He sent many of these to William M. Runyan at Hope Publishing, who was so moved by this poem that he sought to compose a melody that would echo the wonder and gratitude towards the faithfulness of God that Chisholm captured in the words. This hymn is simply the fruit of a simple man with a simple faith in a faithful God.
Stanza 1:
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
Reflective thoughts: God's faithfulness speaks of His unchanging nature. Think of two important things in your life right now. Ask yourself: will they change? Now think of God's faithfulness to you in Jesus and remember it will never change. No matter what!
Chorus:
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.
Reflective thoughts: All of God’s creation receives daily of His mercies (Matt.5:45).God pours His mercies upon His children in all seasons of life (Ps.25:16-19). Think of all of the things you have needed that God has provided for you. Based upon His faithfulness to you in the past, can you trust Him to provide for you today and in the future?
Stanza 2:
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.
Reflective thoughts: Stanza two reminds us of God’s faithfulness in maintaining the order of His universe (Gen.8:21). Can you think of some ways that you see the faithfulness, mercy, and love of God for mankind demonstrated in nature?
Stanza 3:
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thy own dear presences to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine with ten thousand beside.
Reflective thoughts: Are you a sinner in need of the forgiveness of God? He is faithful to pardon those who draw near to Him by faith in Christ. Is there a situation that you are dealing with right now that seems impossible to deal with on your own? Run to Him and trust Him for His endearing presence, strength, and hope.
