HOW GREAT THOU ART

For thus says the LORD, Who created the Heavens, Who is God, Who formed the earth and made it, Who has established it, Who did not create it

in vain, Who formed it to be inhabited: “I am the Lord, and there is no other.” Isaiah 45:18

CARL BOBERG

Carl Boberg, a 26-year-old Swedish minister, wrote a poem in 1885 which he called “O Store Gud” – “O Mighty God.” The words, literally translated to English, said:  When I the world consider Which Thou has made by Thine Almighty WordAnd how the web of life Thou wisdom guideth And all creation feedeth at Thy board, Then doth my soul burst forth in song of praiseOh, great God, Oh, great God!

His poem was published and “forgotten” – or so he thought. Several years later, English missionary, Stuart Hine, was so moved, he modified and expanded the words drawing his inspiration from the majestic Carpathian Mountains and made his own arrangement of the Swedish melody.

Some time later, Dr. J. Edwin Orr heard “How Great Thou Art” being sung by the Naga Tribespeople in Assam, in India, and decided to bring it back to America for use in his own meetings.

In New York Billy Graham Crusade of 1957,it was sung by George Beverly Shea 99 times, with the choir joining the majestic refrain:

Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee,

How great Thou art! How great Thou art !

O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder

Consider all, the works Thy hands hath made

I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder,Thy power throughout the universe display

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God to TheeHow great Thou artHow great Thou art

When through the wood and forest glades I

wanderAnd hear the birds

sing sweetly in the trees

When I look down from lofty mountain grandeurAnd hear the brook,

and feel the gentle breeze

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God to TheeHow great Thou artHow great Thou art

And when I think that God, His Son not sparing

Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it inThat on the cross, my burden gladly bearingHe bled and died to take away my sins

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God to TheeHow great Thou artHow great Thou art

When Christ shall come, with shouts of

acclamationAnd take me home what joy shall fill my heart

Then shall I bow in humble adoration

And there proclaim, my God how great Thou art

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God to TheeHow great Thou artHow great Thou art