Lyrics of Great is Thy Faithfulness
(stanza 1)
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 will 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!
(stanza 2)
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: 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!
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!
(stanza 3)
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!
Notes:
Thomas Obadiah Chisholm (1866-1960) served in several varied occupations--one-room country school teacher, editor and Methodist minister. He spent most of his professional career--44 years--as a life insurance salesman.
A prolific author, Chisholm also managed to write hundreds of hymns. He is particularly remembered for only two--Living for Jesus and Great is Thy Faithfulness. Of these, Great is Thy Faithfulness is undoubted the most popular. Ironically, unlike many great hymns, it was not inspired by a dramatic or tragic event. Chisolm described it as simply an expression of his deep appreciation to God, for "the wonderful displays of His providing care."