Great Is Thy Faithfulness

Why are we encouraged to sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs to ourselves and with others? In this column, Cultivating Songs of Faith, we explore that question by looking at one particular hymn each season, offering the story of its creation from the life of its author or composer. What you see here is a reflection rather than a formal academic history. I hope to help you to taste, see, and rediscover what is good in great hymns, and also occasionally enter into the conversation they have with ancient psalms and modern spiritual songs.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. — Ephesians 6:10, ESV[1]

Sometimes I feel that just hanging on takes all the strength I’ve got. I’ve never experienced real persecution of the sort that brothers and sisters throughout history and even now in many parts of the world have faced. I have several dear friends who suffer daily with chronic pain or ill health. The Lord warned us that we will have troubles in this world, but when I read the stories of saints, or try to put myself in the shoes of the people mentioned in the 11th chapter of the book of Hebrews, I can’t help but wonder at their courage. How did they face such things? How did they face them not only with courage, but with joy?

Fortitude is one of the four Cardinal Virtues in Christian tradition, along with Prudence, Temperance, and Justice. It embodies the idea of standing fast, holding on to the truth, even “though all hell should endeavor to shake” us.[2] How do people cultivate fortitude to stand in the midst of a myriad of difficulties?

Stand fast, my child, and after all,
      Yet still stand fast, says holy Paul,
Thy resolution be renew’d,
      For this is Christian Fortitude.[3]

One of the things that I love about a great hymn is the way it furnishes words that my own heart needs, words and music which can begin to turn my heart toward God and teach me to remember His character when I can’t come up with the words on my own. 

Thomas Obediah Chisholm struggled with ill health for many of the 94 years of his life. Born in Kentucky in 1866, he became a devoted follower of Jesus at a revival meeting at the age of twenty-six. He was later ordained as a minister in the Methodist Church, but his health failed after only one year as a pastor. Though he had recurring bouts of poor health for the rest of his life, he managed to draw strength from his study of Scripture and by writing poetry.

“Having been led, for a part of my life,” Chisholm wrote, “through some difficult paths, I have sought to gather from such experiences material out of which to write hymns of comfort and cheer for those similarly circumstanced.”[4]

Of the 1,200 poems that Chisholm wrote, many were published as hymns. He received encouragement from Fanny Crosby, a famous contemporary hymn writer. The most well-known of Chisholm’s hymns is “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.” He sent the poem in 1923 to his friend and fellow Methodist minister, William Runyan, who wrote the tune.

The text of the hymn addresses God, centering on one aspect of His character—His faithfulness. Chisholm writes that not only is this an unchanging facet of God’s nature, but something more. The refrain repeats “Great is Thy faithfulness” twice and then declares:

Morning by morning new mercies I see:

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—

Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

These words speak of a personal experience. Chisholm is rejoicing in the truth that God’s faithfulness has been made real in his life. And when I sing it, I am too.

These lyrics were inspired by two verses of Scripture. It may surprise you to see the source of this glorious declaration of faith:

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, ESV)

Seen in the context of the entire book of Lamentations, this passage jumps out like a ray of sunshine breaking through the blackest storm clouds. It appears right after two long laments written by the prophet Jeremiah. Each one is crying out to God, protesting in the strongest terms of the devastation and suffering that the prophet sees everywhere. Just two verses before this passage we read, “Remember my affliction and my wanderings, the wormwood and the gall! My soul continually remembers and is bowed down within me” (v. 19-20). These words feel like the kind of outspoken cry that I want to make in the midst of life’s most difficult circumstances. I don’t usually have the courage to voice it out loud, however. Lament, a language we don’t turn to easily in our contemporary expression of faith, is not hidden on the pages of Scripture. 

The verse right before our passage is a conscious turning toward God: “But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope” (v. 21). The verse right afterward claims allegiance to the Father who has always been faithful before: “‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in Him’” (v. 24).

I see several truths on the page here for us to find. God welcomes our lament. He can handle our agonized cries and forthright complaints. And in the moment when He seems furthest from us, His presence and His truth are there, shining in the darkness like a beacon of hope. And that hope will never disappoint. 

Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. (Hebrews 10:23, ESV)

The other truth that I see is that our strength, our fortitude, does not come from ourselves, but rather from leaning on the One who sees us and has promised us His great faithfulness, mercy, and love. We are never asked to be strong in our own might, but instead we are invited to lean into His mighty strength. 

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:
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!

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!

A modern hymn, made popular by Keith and Kristyn Getty, in many ways continues the theme of “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.” It brings together both the heart’s cry of lament and the reminder to trust in the faithfulness of God. “He Will Hold Me Fast” is a song of faith born in the midst of the storm. It begins: 

When I fear my faith will fail

Christ will hold me fast

When the tempter would prevail

He will hold me fast

In a way similar to “Great Is Thy Faithfulness,” the refrain of this new song repeats a proclamation three times, as if to plant this truth deep into our hearts: “He will hold me fast, He will hold me fast. For my Savior loves me so, He will hold me fast.” This is a powerful reminder of the source of our ability to hold on—His love.

This new hymn of faith actually originated with Ada. R. Habershon, who wrote the lyrics in 1907. The music was written by Matt Merker in 2013. It’s a hymn that speaks of God’s faithfulness, a truth that Christians everywhere cling to. 

I remember coming across a video early in 2022, when Ukraine was anticipating an invasion by Russia. A group of Christians were gathered together, singing “He Will Hold Me Fast” in their language, reminding each other to trust God to hold on to them no matter what happened. This beautiful song of faith was the voice of fortitude singing in their hearts. One of my favorite recordings of this hymn includes verses sung in Russian, Ukrainian, and English.[5]

When I sing “He Will Hold Me Fast” and “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” I am reminded of the strength and faith of Christians around the world and across the centuries who have trusted in the same God I do. I am reminded of our connection to the God who remains faithful to us, whose compassions fail not because they are embedded in His character. Let us sing and remember—His faithfulness is great!

Endnotes:

[1] The English Standard Version translation does not capitalize pronouns referring to God; these have been added throughout by Cultivating editors.

[2] These lyrics are in the final stanza of another great hymn, “How Firm A Foundation.” The lyrics are attributed to the author simply identified as “K.” It was first published in “A Selection of Hymns from the Best Authors,” compiled by John Rippon in 1787.

[3] Hymns for the Amusement of Children, by Christopher Smart, 1771, Hymn VIII – Fortitude, lines 1-4.

[4] Charles H. Gabriel, The Singers and Their Songs: Sketches of Living Gospel Hymn Writers (Chicago: Rodeheaver, 1916), 76.

[5] See this video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaHUHgN7smU 

The featured image, “The Island of Pines,” is courtesy of Ariel Lovewell and is used with her kind permission for Cultivating.

Terri Moon

Terri Moon is a musician and a lover of Jesus. She delights in playing the music of Bach, growing English roses, baking up a good batch of scones, and all good, true, and beautiful things that point to Him. She has found that the most fulfilling adventures come through collaborating with others, and to that end she and her husband Steve (also a member of The Cultivating Project) serve gladly in their church and also on the leadership team of the Anselm Society. Together they raised four children and are now proud grandparents. Hosting friends in their Colorado home is one of their favorite joint adventures.

Terri holds a master’s degree in violin performance, and has collaborated in many concerts and taught students of all ages for 40 years. Her lifelong passion is the intersection of music, worship, and spiritual formation, and she longs to bring to life the beauty of the Church’s heritage in the arts. Terri currently serves as the Music Director of Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Colorado Springs.