I can hardly believe that I have not written a post about this hymn yet. A most beloved and well known hymn throughout the Christian world.

The author, Thomas O. Chisholm, was raised on a farm on Kentucky and saved around the age of 26. By all accounts he was a simple man serving the Lord without fanfare.

I was surprised to learn that he actually wrote a lot of hymns although this one seems to be the only one that has remained in use. I found it interesting that he desired his hymns to be full of the Scripture with no “flippancy” (his word) or sentimentality. I think we can say this hymn does just that – check out all the verses I found.

Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father; (Lamentations 3:23)
There is no shadow of turning with thee; (James 1:17)
Thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not; (Malachi 3:6, Lam. 3:22)
As thou hast been thou forever wilt be. (Hebrews 13:8)

Refrain:
Great is thy faithfulness!
Great is thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see: (Isaiah 50:4, Lamentations 3:22)
All I have needed thy hand hath provided– (Philippians 4:19)
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 (Job 38:7)
To thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love. (Ephesians 2:4)

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, (Ephesians 2:4-5, Philippians 4:7)
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide, (Psalm 16:11, Luke 1:79)
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, (II Corinthians 12:9, Eph. 1:18)
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside! (Ephesians 1:3)

The composer, William Runyan, said that he

prayed most earnestly that my tune might carry over its message in a worthy way, and the subsequent history of its use indicates that God answered prayer. (Hymns of Our Faith by William J. Reynolds, pgs 56-57)