The Word in Worship: Great is Thy Faithfulness

November 9, 5:10 PMLA Faith & Community ExaminerJennifer Oliver O'Connell

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Photograph courtesy of Public Domain Pictures

We study the Word every time we open our mouths to sing.  From the ancient monks to the modern day worship leader, the scriptures are the inspiration and impetus for every hymn, song, and choral work written.  So incorporating worship into your quiet time can also deepen your knowledge and understanding of God's Word.

Each week, a classic hymn or modern day worship song will be highlighted, with the express purpose of pointing out the scriptural references inherent within the lyrics.  This is a simple way to drink spiritual milk so that you can continue to grow in your faith.

Let us take a look at the classic hymn Great is Thy Faithfulness, written in 1923 by Thomas O. Chisholm and music by William M. Runyan.

Thomas O. Chisholm was a simple man, with a simple faith.  Though he pursued pastoral ministry, he could not fulfill this call due to poor health.  He spent the rest of his life as a working man--an insurance agent.  But his studying of the scriptures are what birthed this hymn, which extols God's faithfulness in our every day, in the world around us, and God's promise of continued faithfulness throughout our lives.

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;

This is a direct reference to James 1:17: "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning."

Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be. 

Malachi 3:6 exhorts, "For I am the LORD, I do not change."  The writer then references Lamentations 3:22: "Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.  Verse 23 of this same chapter in Lamentations gives wind to the chorus: "They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness."

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!

The final verse also offers more solid scripture for meditation.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,

I John 2:1 exhorts "My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous."   God's peace brought to us through the sacrifice of Christ is talked about in Ephesians 2:14-15: "For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace."

Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

This hymn has been sung since the early 20th Century, and continues to give inspiration to artists, seekers and true believers alike.  Find a recording of this song with which you can worship and meditate, and allow the lyrics along with the scriptures that inspire them, to soak into your soul. 

My favorite composition of this song is done by the 2nd Chapter of Acts.

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!