The Story Behind the Song: Great Is Thy Faithfulness

In 1923, in a desire to express his personal

life experience as a Christian, Thomas Obadiah Chisolm
 penned one of the greatest poems regarding the 

faithfulness of God. 

Chisolm was born in Franklin, KY on

July 29th, 1866 in a log cabin. Without

benefit of proper advanced schooling he 

became a teacher at 16 in the same schoolhouse

he had been taught in as a child. At 21,

 he began a town newspaper and 

six years later under the preaching of 

Dr. H. C. Morrison received the saving knowledge

of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Later in his life he became an ordained minister but had

to resign due to poor health.

He penned over 1200 poems in his career.

In stanza one of this great hymn,

he writes of God's unchanging 

character and unfailing compassions.  

In stanza two, he speaks of God's faithfulness 

in maintaining the order of His universe.  

In stanza three he focuses on God's faithfulness 

in forgiving our sins, providing strength for 

today and hope for tomorrow.  

William M. Runyan set the poem to music in Baldwin, Kansas, USA.

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

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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.
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.

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.

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