How Great Thou Art

How Great Thou Art is one of the most widely loved and enduring hymns in Christian worship across the world. Its journey from a Swedish poem to an international hymn of praise is a testament to the power of worship that transcends borders, languages, and generations. The original text of the hymn was written in 1885 by Carl Gustav Boberg, a Swedish preacher, editor, and politician. Boberg had been inspired after witnessing a thunderstorm roll through his hometown of Mönsterås, on the southeast coast of Sweden. Following the storm, he saw a rainbow arching over the bay and heard a church bell ringing. Deeply moved by the grandeur and peace of the moment, he penned a nine-stanza poem titled “O Store Gud,” which translates to “O Great God.” The poem was first published in the periodical Witness of the Truth (Sanningsvittnet) in 1886. It was later set to music, reportedly a traditional Swedish melody, and began to be sung in Swedish congregations. The original verses were less focused on personal salvation and more on the majesty of nature and God's power, reflecting the Romantic theological tone of the late 19th century. However, the hymn's transformation over the decades into the English version known today required significant translation, adaptation, and expansion.

The hymn did not gain international recognition until it was translated into German and Russian, and eventually into English. It was the English translation by British missionary Stuart K. Hine in the 1940s that brought "How Great Thou Art" its widespread popularity. Hine and his wife were serving in the Carpathian Mountains of Ukraine when they heard a Russian version of Boberg’s hymn, which had already become popular among Russian-speaking believers. Inspired by both the song and his own experiences in the mountainous countryside, Hine crafted a new English version, adapting and expanding it significantly. He wrote three of the English verses himself, based on the original theme but with strong emphasis on Christian salvation and the return of Christ. The well-known second verse—“When through the woods and forest glades I wander”—and the fourth verse—“When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation”—were original to Hine and not part of Boberg’s poem. By 1949, Hine had completed and copyrighted his English version. The hymn quickly caught on among evangelical communities in Great Britain and beyond, especially due to its stirring language, vivid imagery, and reverent tone. Hine’s version became the basis for almost every English-language performance and publication of the hymn from the mid-20th century onward.

The hymn reached its greatest popularity in the United States in the 1950s and 1960s, especially after being performed by George Beverly Shea during the evangelistic crusades led by Billy Graham. Its inclusion in the 1957 New York City Crusade was a watershed moment. Shea’s deep baritone voice brought power and warmth to the hymn’s already emotional content, and the crowds’ enthusiastic response helped establish it as a standard in American evangelical worship. Graham later said it was one of the most requested hymns at his crusades. The hymn’s power lies in its balance between cosmic awe and personal devotion. The opening stanzas invoke the majesty of God as revealed in nature, echoing Psalm 19:1—“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.” The middle verses reflect on the work of Christ on the cross, tying in with Romans 5:8—“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” The final verse expresses hope in Christ’s return, resonating with 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17. Over the decades, “How Great Thou Art” has been recorded by numerous artists including Elvis Presley, Carrie Underwood, and Alan Jackson, each of whom contributed to its ongoing legacy. It remains a fixture in hymnals and worship services around the world, often sung in moments of great celebration or profound reflection.