I have a large, old six-pane window frame on my back patio. These words are printed and hand painted in cherry red: “His Mercies are new every morning, Great is His Faithfulness … Lamentations 3:22-23.” As I read the words, my heart is filled with gratitude for God’s mercy and grace. Sometimes, I sing the words to the hymn, “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.”
Kenneth W. Osbeck observes in his book 101 More Hymn Stories: The Inspiring True Stories Behind 101 Favorite Hymns that the hymn has an unusual origin: “While many hymns are born out of a particular dramatic experience, this hymn was simply the result of the author’s ‘morning by morning realization of God’s personal faithfulness.’” Many people feel the same way. Is it any wonder this remains one of the greatest hymns ever?
Who Wrote the Hymn “Great Is Thy Faithfulness?”
Thomas Obadiah Chisholm, writer of over 1,200 poems throughout his lifetime, wrote “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.” An amazing feat for a man with only an elementary-level education!
T. O. Chisholm was born on July 29, 1866, in a log cabin in the Lake Spring Community, Franklin, Kentucky. At 16, he was hired by the school board to teach at a local one-room country schoolhouse.
The schoolteacher, who loved words and writing poetry, around the age of twenty-two, became associate editor of Franklin Favorite, the hometown newspaper. But his life radically changed at twenty-seven, 1893, when he attended a revival in Franklin where Henry Clay Morrison was preaching. Morrison was the founder of Asbury College and Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky.
Later, Dr. Morrison approached Chisholm to consider taking the position as editor for his publication, The Pentecostal Herald. It was a big step for Chisholm, leaving the country community to the city life of Louisville. While working at The Pentecostal Herald, Thomas Chisholm felt called to the pastorate. At the age of 37, he was ordained to the Methodist ministry. He served in a small church in Scottsville, Kentucky.
While serving in Scottsville, he married Catherine Vandervere. After serving the church for a year, Thomas Chisholm resigned because of ill health. He and Catherine moved to a small farm in Winona Lake, Indiana. Chisholm found employment as an insurance salesman. The family grew to four members when daughters Ruth and Dorothy were born here. In 1916, the family moved to New Jersey. Chisholm continued to work with an insurance agency.
“Great Is Thy Faithfulness” was written in 1923. T.O. Chisholm sent the poem to William Runyan. He worked for the Moody Bible Institute and was a Christian music publisher. The story is told that William Runyan was very impressed by the poem and sought the Lord’s direction on composing a melody for the beautifully written words.
George Beverly Shea, a young soloist for the Moody radio station, was asked to sing a selection of hymns. He knew Dr. Houghton, president of Moody Bible Institute, had “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” as one of his favorites. Later, when Shea joined Billy Graham’s ministry, this hymn was introduced to audiences in Great Britain in 1954.
Four years before his death, a book titled Great Is Thy Faithfulness, containing the hymn and other inspiring songs, was published. Thomas Obadiah Chisholm died on February 29, 1960, in Ocean Grove, New Jersey, at 93. While his book is no longer in print, his music continues to be well-known across the world.
What Are the Lyrics to “Great Is Thy Faithfulness?”
There are three verses, with the refrain following each verse. Read the words prayerfully. Then, consider singing the hymn with great performers like Wes Hampton or Anthem Lights.
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 wilt be. [Refrain]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. [Refrain]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! [Refrain]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!
What Did Thomas O. Chisholm Write Besides “Great is Thy Faithfulness?”
Thomas O. Chisholm’s first hymn, “O To Be Like Thee,” was written shortly after his conversation and reflects his desire to increase in Christlikeness. This hymn could have been one of several that he sent to Fanny Crosby. She graciously critiqued, made suggestions, and encouraged him to continue writing. Later, William James Kirkpatrick the music to the hymn.
Looking through several hymn books from my music library, I found “I Want to Be Like Jesus,” written by Chisholm, with music by David Livingstone Ives, as a prequel to “O to be Like Thee!”
Another popular hymn, “Living for Jesus,” came from a request from C. Harold Lowden of New Jersey. In 1915, Lowden composed “The Sunshine Song” for the children in his church. Then, in 1917, Lowden began working on a songbook he wanted to publish. He liked the tune but wasn’t completely satisfied with the words. He contacted Chisholm to use his writing abilities to compose new words.
However, Chisholm, who couldn’t read music, sent a letter back to Lowden telling him he didn’t know the method of how to write words to music. Lowden was persistent, replying that God had impressed upon his heart that Chisholm was the one. Chisholm’s daughter repeatedly hummed the tune to him, and eventually, suitable words came. “Living for Jesus” was published in Lowden’s songbook, Uplifting Songs, in 1917.
A wonderful celebration of Chisholm’s legacy as a pastor and hymnist was held after he passed away in 1960. The article “Pastors’ Group to Honor Memory of T. O. Chisholm” from the Vineland Times Journal, dated Saturday, June 4, 1960, describes the event: “The program will include the singing of many of the Chisholm hymns by the audience. “The Prodigal Son,” sung by J. Paul Hunsberger; “Jesus, Master of My Soul,” sung by Miss Beryl Packer; others by a Men’s Quartet, testimonials from Mr. Chisholm’s files read by a member of the Pastors’ Prayer Fellowship, and words of appreciation from those present.” What an outstanding worship service that must have been.
What Can We Learn from “Great Is Thy Faithfulness?”
What is the greatest lesson we can learn from this hymn? No matter what, God is faithful, and His Word is truth.
Chisholm understood this well, as we see in this quote from a 1941 letter that Osbeck includes:
“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 care, for which I am filled with astonishing gratefulness.”
Additional hymns by Thomas O. Chisholm:
- “He Supplieth All of My Need,” music by Charles Hutchinson Gabriel.
- “Is the Lord in Your Heart?” music by C. Harold Lowden.
- “Jesus Has You on His Heart,” music by Charles H. Gabriel.
- “Lord, Teach Us to Pray,” music by Geo. C. Stebbins.
- “My Wondrous Friend,” music by Chas. H. Gabriel, Jr.
- “On the Other Side,” music by Haldor Lillenas.
Look at this Crosswalk.com list of favorite hymns if you want additional songs with legendary lines. Here, you will find twenty beloved worship songs that will uplift your heart and soul.
Photo Credit:©GettyImages/Sonja Filitz
Laura Lee Leathers is a writer and speaker. Imagine Lois Lane, over sixty-five, and living on a farm. Her metropolis is the area of freelance writing. Her primary love interest is the Word of God. She digs for information, interviews fascinating people, offers a cup of biblical hospitalit-tea, encourages, and helps others with the ‘how-to’s’ of life. To sign up for her newsletter, connect with her at http://lauraleeleathers.com - - - “Helping You Flourish in Faith & Finish Well by His Word”
