Great is Thy faithfulness Lord unto me.

“Great is Thy Faithfulness” is a beloved hymn that has been sung in churches services and Christian gatherings for over a century. It was written by Thomas Obediah Chisholm, an American songwriter, in 1923. The hymn is based on the biblical passage in Lamentations 3.

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
 His mercies never come to an end;
 they are new every morning;
 great is Your faithfulness. - Lamentations 3:22-23

Chisholm was inspired to write the hymn after reflecting on his own life and the faithfulness of God. He had experienced many difficulties and challenges throughout his life, but through it all, he had seen the faithfulness of God. He wrote the hymn as a testimony to God’s faithfulness and a reminder to himself and others that God’s mercy and love never fail. His aim in writing was to incorporate as much as Scripture as possible to avoid flippant and sentimental themes.

The hymn has been cherished by many in the Christian faith for its message that God’s faithfulness is not a one-time event, but a continuous, never-ending reality. The hymn has been sung by countless congregations and has been translated into multiple languages, making it a universal message of hope and faith.

Verses

The Bible is full of verses that speak to God’s faithfulness, including 2 Thessalonians 3:3, which says, “But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.” Another verse that speaks to God’s faithfulness is Psalm 36:5, which says, “Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.”

The hymn’s verses beautifully capture the essence of God’s faithfulness. The first verse says, “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.”

The second verse reminds us that God’s faithfulness is evident in his provision for us: “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.”

The final verse of the hymn is a powerful declaration of hope and trust in God’s faithfulness: “Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide; strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!”

As we sing this hymn, we are reminded of God’s steadfast love and faithfulness. We can rest in the knowledge that He will never abandon us and that His mercies are new every morning.

Church Fathers

The Church Fathers and Puritans also spoke about the faithfulness of God in their writings. Augustine wrote, “God is faithful, and therefore, His promises must be trusted.” John Calvin said, “God’s faithfulness is the foundation of all our hope.” Thomas Watson wrote, “God has been faithful in his promises, and will be faithful still.” And Richard Baxter wrote, “The faithfulness of God is the ground of our confidence in Him.”

The hymn has been embraced by Christians all over the world and has been translated into many languages. It has been sung in times of joy and in times of sorrow, and it has provided comfort and hope to countless people.

As we sing “Great is Thy Faithfulness,” we are reminded of God’s unchanging character and His steadfast love for us. We are reminded that no matter what we may face in life, God is faithful and He will never abandon us. We can trust in His promises and rest in His unfailing love.

Let’s pray

Dear God, we come before You today with grateful hearts, for we know that You are forgiving, merciful, and just. We praise You for Your never-ending love and grace towards us. We thank You for your great faithfulness. Your love is steadfast, and Your mercies are new every morning.

Help us to trust in You, knowing that You will never leave us or forsake us. We pray that we would be faithful to You in all things, and that we would bring honor and glory to Your name.

May we always find comfort and hope in your faithfulness and rest in the knowledge that You are with us always. We pray this in Jesus’ holy name, Amen.