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

Thank you for voting every week in our Hymn Madness! The victor, our champion is, Great is Thy Faithfulness.

Great Is Thy Faithfulness is a Christian hymn that originated in the United States. The lyrics were written by Thomas O. Chisholm, a Methodist minister from Kentucky. He wrote the poem in 1923 about God’s faithfulness over his lifetime, even after he was forced to leave ministry due to health complications and financial hardship.

He sent the poem to Reverend William Runyan, a musician living in Kasas, but associated with the Moody Bible Institute and editor of Hope Publishing Company in Chicago. Runyan composed a beautiful tune to accompany the poem and named it FAITHFULNESS. Reflecting on this creative process, Runyan later wrote, “This particular poem held such an appeal that I prayed most earnestly that my tune might carry over its message in a worthy way, and the subsequent history of its use indicates that God answered prayer.”

Once Runyan found the tune, Great Is Thy Faithfulness as a hymn was born. It was an instant favorite amongst Moody Bible Institute staff and students, quickly becoming the college’s unofficial hymn.

The hymn gained widespread popularity when a certain man by the name of Billy Graham heard it and began using it in his ministry during the 1950’s.

What began as a simple poem from one man has reached far and wide, becoming a meaningful song of worship, as we remember God who always remembers us.

See you in church.

Yours for the journey,
Pastor Molly