Searching into the history of hymns adds depth and meaning to the songs that we may have sung most of our lives. Over time we may sing the verses out of rote memory and lose the deep spiritual meaning that poured out of the heart of the author and composer onto the pages and scores we now see in our hymn books. One of my favorite hymns is “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.” As a child I remember singing each of the verses and picturing in my mind’s eye the glorious wonders of God.
“Great Is Thy Faithfulness” was written in 1923 by Thomas O. Chisholm (1866-1960), a Kentucky-born Methodist minister, who wrote it as a poem reflecting on God’s daily faithfulness throughout his life. Inspired by Lamentations 3:22-23, it was set to music by William M. Runyan (1870-1957) and gained popularity through the Moody Bible Institute and Billy Graham crusades. Thomas Chisholm wrote over 1,200 poems, but this particular hymn became his most enduring legacy, focusing on the theme that God’s compassions are new every morning.
Let’s look at Lamentations 3:22-23 in several different versions of the Bible.
● Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. New International Version (NIV)
● Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. New King James Version (NKJV)
● God’s loyal love couldn’t have run out, his merciful love couldn’t have dried up. They’re created new every morning. How great your faithfulness! I’m sticking with God (I say it over and over). He’s all I’ve got left. The Message (MSG)
Thomas’ life was not one of ease. He experienced health problems and financial struggles. Thomas wrote out of experience of need. He needed God’s unfailing mercy daily within his life. Now, let’s look at the words to “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” and reflect on the truth of the inspiring scripture. If this were the only scripture and hymn that we ever knew, the profoundness of its message could sustain us for a lifetime.
Verse 1
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father
There is no shadow of turning with Thee
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me.
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.
Verse 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.
Verse 3
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 10,000 beside.
May we each realize the LOVING KINDNESS of God our Father. His FAITHFULNESS is what sustains us each and every day. May we not become immune to the wooing strains of God’s mercies that waft through the chords of this song with the intention of capturing our heart and producing a return from us of LOVE and GRATEFULNESS to the GREAT I AM.
For more thought-provoking topics, tune in to Hope 100.7.
God bless you. Stay hopeful! ❤️
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