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One cannot have an appreciation for hymns and not recognize Fanny Crosby. Having written over 9,000 hymns, she was known as an American hymn writer and poetess.
She was blinded at only six weeks of age by an illness. A preacher once remarked “I think it is a great pity that the Master did not give you sight when He showered so many other gifts upon you.” Her quick reply, “Do you know that if at birth I had been able to make one petition, it would have been that I should be born blind?” “Why?” asked the surprised clergyman. “Because when I get to heaven, the first face that shall gladden my sight will be that of my Savior!”
One of Miss Crosby’s hymns touched her to deeply that she kept it to herself for years. Kenneth Osbeck, author of several books of hymnology, remembers it being revealed this way: “One day at the Bible conference in Northfield, Massachusetts, Miss Crosby was asked by D.L. Moody to give a personal testimony. At first she hesitated, then quietly rose and said, ‘There is one hymn I have written which has never been published. I call it my soul’s poem. Sometimes when I am troubled, I repeat it to myself, for it brings comfort to my heart.’ She then recited while many wept:
Someday the silver cord will break,
and I no more as now shall sing;
but oh, the joy when I shall wake
within the palace of the King!
And I shall see Him face to face,
and tell the story–saved by grace!
One of her hymns that deeply touches my heart is Blessed Assurance.
Blessèd assurance, Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.
Refrain
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior, all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior, all the day long.
Perfect submission, perfect delight,
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels descending bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.
Refrain
Perfect submission, all is at rest
I in my Savior am happy and blest,
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.
Refrain
Having blessed assurance that we belong to our Father is glorious indeed. There is nothing more exciting than a life lived in Him. We may have peace only in Him as we watch and wait for Him.
Historically speaking, Great is thy Faithfulness is a babe. This great hymn was written by Thomas O. Chisholm in 1923, according to whom, there were no significant circumstances by which it was inspired. He is said to have written it simply based on his experiences and Biblical truth. For certain it is truth and has no doubt inspired many a Christian to join Chisholm in proclaiming it themselves.
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.
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!
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
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!
The hymn first appeared in Songs of Salvation and Service which was compiled in 1923 by William M. Runyan.
It has since gained the distinction of being called the “unofficial school hymn” of the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago.
