"How Great Thou Art" stands as one of the most significant hymns in Christian history, consistently ranking alongside "Amazing Grace" in terms of global recognition and emotional resonance. While millions have sung its swelling chorus, the journey of this song—from a sudden thunderstorm in Sweden to the mission fields of Eastern Europe—is as majestic as the lyrics themselves.

Complete Lyrics to How Great Thou Art

Below are the standard English lyrics as popularized by Stuart K. Hine, which remain the most widely used version in hymnals and performances today.

Verse 1

O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder, Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made; I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder, Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Chorus

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee, How great Thou art, how great Thou art! Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee, How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

Verse 2

When through the woods and forest glades I wander, And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees; When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze.

Verse 3

And when I think that God, His Son not sparing, Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in; That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing, He bled and died to take away my sin.

Verse 4

When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart! Then I shall bow in humble adoration, And there proclaim, my God, how great Thou art!

The Origins of the Hymn: A Swedish Storm in 1885

The foundation of "How Great Thou Art" was not written in English, nor was it originally a song meant for a global stage. Its story begins with a Swedish poet and politician named Carl Boberg.

In the summer of 1885, Boberg was returning home from a church service near Mönsterås, on the southeast coast of Sweden. During his walk, a sudden and violent thunderstorm erupted. Thunder crashed and lightning flashed across the sky, but as quickly as the storm arrived, it vanished. In its wake, a rainbow appeared, and the bay became as calm as a mirror. Boberg heard the sweet singing of birds in the trees and the distant, rhythmic tolling of church bells.

Struck by the sheer contrast between the terrifying power of the storm and the serene peace that followed, Boberg was moved to write a nine-stanza poem titled "O Store Gud" (O Great God).

The poem was a reflection on the majesty of God as seen through the lens of nature. It was first published in 1886 and was later set to a traditional Swedish folk melody. For decades, it remained a beloved regional hymn, slowly being translated into German and then into Russian.

Stuart K. Hine and the English Transformation

The "How Great Thou Art" known to the English-speaking world is largely the work of Stuart K. Hine, a British Methodist missionary. In the 1930s, Hine and his wife were ministering in the Carpathian Mountains of Ukraine, which was then part of Poland.

During his travels, Hine encountered the Russian translation of Boberg's hymn. As he hiked through the breathtaking mountain scenery, he began to adapt the lyrics into English, drawing direct inspiration from his surroundings.

The Development of the Verses

Hine’s contribution was not merely a literal translation; it was a creative expansion that gave the hymn its narrative arc:

  1. The First Two Verses: These were inspired by Hine’s experiences in the Ukrainian mountains. The "rolling thunder" and the "forest glades" were echoes of his own missionary journeys through rugged terrain.
  2. The Third Verse: This verse, focusing on the sacrifice of Christ, was written after Hine witnessed the profound faith of a Russian couple. They were converted to Christianity in a small village, and their overwhelming sense of gratitude for the forgiveness of sins inspired the lines: "That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing, He bled and died to take away my sin."
  3. The Fourth Verse: This final section was added later, around 1948, after Hine had returned to England. Following the devastation of World War II, he encountered many Eastern European refugees who were grieving and displaced. The verse became a message of ultimate hope—the return of Christ and the promise of a heavenly home.

Analyzing the Meaning of Each Verse

To understand why this hymn resonates so deeply, one must look at the progression of its themes. It moves from the macro (the universe) to the micro (the individual soul) and finally to the eternal (the afterlife).

Verse 1: The Cosmic Perspective

The opening lines focus on "awesome wonder." It invites the singer to look upward at the stars and outward at the "rolling thunder." This is a recognition of God’s power as the Creator of the physical universe. It sets a tone of humility, acknowledging that human existence is small compared to the vastness of the cosmos.

Verse 2: The Intimate Experience of Nature

The second verse shifts the focus to a more sensory, personal experience. Instead of the "universe," we are in the "woods" and "forest glades." We hear "birds" and feel the "gentle breeze." This reflects the belief that the Divine is not just a distant architect but is present in the delicate details of life on Earth.

Verse 3: The Theology of Redemption

This is often considered the emotional heart of the hymn. It moves away from nature and into the core tenets of Christian faith. The phrase "I scarce can take it in" expresses the human difficulty in comprehending the concept of divine sacrifice. It transitions the song from a hymn of praise for creation to a hymn of gratitude for salvation.

Verse 4: The Eschatological Hope

The hymn concludes with a look toward the future. It addresses the universal human longing for peace and "home." By ending on a note of "humble adoration," it brings the journey full circle—starting with wonder at the world and ending with worship in the presence of the Creator.

Global Popularity and the Billy Graham Connection

While Stuart K. Hine published his version in 1949, the hymn’s meteoric rise to fame happened in the 1950s in the United States.

The turning point was the 1957 Billy Graham Crusade at Madison Square Garden in New York City. George Beverly Shea, a renowned baritone and a regular soloist for Graham, performed "How Great Thou Art." The response was unprecedented. The audience was so moved that Shea was asked to sing it on multiple consecutive nights.

From that point on, it became a signature song for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. It was broadcast on radio and television, cementing its place in the American musical consciousness. Since then, it has been covered by an incredibly diverse range of artists, including:

  • Elvis Presley: His 1967 version won him a Grammy Award for Best Sacred Performance.
  • Carrie Underwood: Her powerful rendition at the "ACM Girls' Night Out" in 2011 introduced the hymn to a new generation of country music fans.
  • Alan Jackson: Known for his traditional approach, Jackson's version emphasizes the folk roots of the melody.

Variations and Notable Versions

Because of its long history and various translations, several versions of the lyrics exist.

  • "Worlds" vs. "Works": In the first verse, some versions use "all the works Thy hands have made," while others use "all the worlds." Both are considered acceptable, though "worlds" is often preferred in modern hymnals to emphasize the cosmic scope.
  • Māori Version: In New Zealand, the hymn "Whakaaria Mai" is a culturally significant adaptation of "How Great Thou Art," often sung at significant national events and funerals.
  • Contemporary Adaptations: Recently, artists like Matt Redman have released versions like "How Great Thou Art (Until That Day)," which adds new bridge sections while maintaining the classic verses to bridge the gap between traditional hymnody and modern worship music.

FAQs About How Great Thou Art

Who wrote the original lyrics to How Great Thou Art?

The original poem was written by Carl Boberg in Sweden in 1885. The English lyrics we use today were written and translated by Stuart K. Hine in the 1930s and 40s.

Is the song based on a specific Bible verse?

While it encompasses many biblical themes, it is most frequently associated with Psalm 8:3-4: "When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them?"

Why was Verse 3 added?

Stuart K. Hine added the third verse after witnessing the deep spiritual conversion of people he met while serving as a missionary in Eastern Europe. He wanted to include the message of the Gospel (the death and resurrection of Christ) within the hymn.

What is the time signature of the song?

Most modern versions are sung in 4/4 time, although early Swedish versions were originally written in 3/4 time.

Summary

"How Great Thou Art" is more than just a list of lyrics; it is a historical tapestry woven from Swedish poetry, Eastern European missionary work, and American revivalism. Its enduring appeal lies in its ability to capture both the grandeur of the universe and the intimacy of personal faith. Whether heard as a quiet whisper in a forest glade or as a thunderous anthem in a packed stadium, the song remains a definitive expression of awe and gratitude.