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Great Is Thy Faithfulness
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, NRSV

Thomas O. Chisholm (1866-1960) penned more than 1200 poems, including the hymns “Living for Jesus” and “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.” The latter was written in 1923 while Chisholm, an insurance agent, resided in Vineland, New Jersey. FAITHFULNESS is the tune that we use to sing “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.” It was composed, specifically for these lyrics, in Baldwin, Kansas, later the same year, by William M. Runyan.

Dorothy Rutledge is a Greystone member and the mother of Greystone adult choir member Carol Allen. At the age of 90, Dorothy still plays the piano beautifully. In 2020, almost one hundred years after “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” was written, Dorothy uses this beautiful song to profess her faith in God. I hope you enjoy watching and hearing her play it as much as I did. Click on this LINK or the picture above to listen.

They are planted in the house of the LORD; 
they flourish in the courts of our God.
 In old age they still produce fruit; 
they are always green and full of sap,
showing that the LORD is upright; 
he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.
Psalm 92:13-15, NRSV

Chris Haire
Interim Associate Minister of Music

Resources for this article:  The Worshiping Church: A Hymnal, Worship Leaders’ Edition, 1990/1991, Hope Publishing Company; and Handbook to the Baptist Hymnal, 1992, Convention Press.