Ethan Walker
How Great Thou Art is a popular hymn often used in funeral services. The uplifting and reverent hymn was originally written in Swedish and has since become one of the great Christian songs in English. The English version was created by British missionary Stuart Wesley Keene Hine, who was inspired by the Russian translation of the German version of the song. Hine's translation became popular worldwide, especially in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and it is still used in funeral services today, including Catholic funerals.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Original Language | Swedish |
| Genre | Hymn |
| Mood | Uplifting and reverent |
| Lyrics | Refer to God, nature, and life after death |
| Popularity | Widespread among Christians and non-religious people |
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What You'll Learn
How Great Thou Art's origin and history
"How Great Thou Art" is a popular hymn that has touched the hearts of worshippers worldwide. The hymn's origin and history are as inspiring and uplifting as its message.
The original text of "How Great Thou Art" can be traced back to Sweden in the late 1800s. The lyrics were penned by Swedish preacher Carl Boberg, who was inspired by a unique and divine experience on the southeast coast of Sweden. One day, while walking home with friends from a church service, they found themselves caught in a sudden and violent thunderstorm. The storm was short-lived, and soon the calm returned, with the sun shining and the birds singing once more. This contrast of nature's grandeur and power left Boberg in awe, prompting him to fall to his knees in humble adoration of God.
Boberg's experience inspired him to write a nine-stanza poem in Swedish, titled "O Store Gud, nar jag den varld beskader," which captured his exaltation of God's greatness. The poem was set to an old Swedish folk melody and became a beloved hymn in Sweden, known as "O Store Gud."
In 1925, E. Gustav Johnson, a professor at North Park College, Illinois, created the first literal English translation of Boberg's poem. Johnson's translation, "O Mighty God," was published in the United States in the Covenant Hymnal. However, it failed to gain popularity.
In 1931, British missionary Stuart K. Hine played a significant role in shaping the version of "How Great Thou Art" that we know today. While on an evangelistic mission to the Carpathian Mountains in the Soviet Ukrainian SSR, Hine first heard the Russian translation of the German version of the song. Inspired by the melody and the words, he created his own English paraphrase, "How Great Thou Art," including the phrase four times in the refrain. Hine and his wife, Mercy, started using the song in their evangelistic services, and he also rewrote and added new verses in Russian.
In 1954, J. Edwin Orr, a British-American missionary, heard a Naga choir sing "How Great Thou Art" in north-eastern India. He was deeply touched by the song and introduced it to the United States, sharing it at college conferences. The same year, the song was first sung in the US at the Forest Home conference led by Dr. Orr, and it was also published by Gospel Light. The first major American recording of "How Great Thou Art" was by Bill Carle in 1958.
The hymn gained even more exposure and popularity when it became a featured part of the Billy Graham Crusades. Tim Spencer, a world-renowned singing cowboy and the founder of Manna Music, negotiated with Hine to purchase the song rights in 1955. Through the efforts of Spencer, Graham, and Graham's song leader, George Beverly Shea, "How Great Thou Art" reached millions of people across America.
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The hymn's popularity and spread
"How Great Thou Art" is a popular hymn that has spread far and wide since it was first written in Swedish. It has become one of the great Christian songs in English, with uplifting and reverent lyrics that make it a popular choice for funeral services. The hymn was written by Stuart K. Hine, a British missionary, in the 1940s. Hine first heard the Russian translation of the German version of the song while on a mission to the Ukrainian SSR in 1931. Inspired by the melody, he created his own English version, including the phrase "How Great Thou Art" four times in the refrain.
Hine's version of the hymn quickly gained popularity and was circulated among refugees in fifteen countries around the world, including North and South America. British missionaries played a significant role in spreading the song globally, particularly to former British colonies in Africa and India. In the United States, it was introduced by a missionary from Central Africa, James Caldwell, who sang it at a Bible conference in New York in 1951.
The popularity of Hine's translation continued to grow in the late 1960s and early 1970s, with his version being considered for inclusion in The Covenant Hymnal. The Hymnal Commission debated between Hine's popular version and an older translation by E. Gustav Johnson due to copyright and economic considerations. Ultimately, Hine's version prevailed, and it was published in the 1973 edition of The Covenant Hymnal, solidifying its place in Christian worship and funeral services.
Today, "How Great Thou Art" remains a beloved and well-known hymn, appreciated by Christians and non-religious people alike. Its uplifting message and hopeful lyrics provide comfort and guidance, making it a popular choice for funerals and other religious gatherings. The hymn's enduring popularity is a testament to its ability to resonate with people from diverse backgrounds and its lasting impact on Christian music.
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How Great Thou Art's translation
"How Great Thou Art" is a popular hymn with a rich history and a powerful message that has resonated with Christians worldwide. The hymn is a translation of the Swedish poem "O Store Gud" ("O Mighty God" or "O Great God") written by Swedish preacher Carl Boberg in 1885. Boberg's inspiration for the poem came from a visit to a beautiful country estate on the southeast coast of Sweden, where he witnessed a thunderstorm followed by calm, sweet birdsong. This experience prompted him to write a nine-stanza poem expressing his exaltation of God's greatness.
The English translation of "How Great Thou Art" is largely credited to British missionary Stuart K. Hine, who first heard the Russian translation of the German version of the song while on a mission trip to Ukraine in 1931. Hine and his wife, Mercy, were deeply moved by the melody and the Russian translation, and they began using it in their evangelistic services. Hine also started rewriting and adding new verses to the hymn in Russian as he was inspired by different events.
Hine finalised his English translation of "How Great Thou Art" in 1949, and published the final four-verse version in his Russian gospel magazine "Grace and Peace" that same year. The magazine was circulated among refugees in fifteen countries, and Hine's version quickly gained popularity in each country it reached. British missionaries further spread the hymn to former British colonies in Africa and India, and it was introduced to the United States in 1951.
The hymn combines a sense of awe of nature and its Creator with the New Testament gospel of Christ's atoning death and glorious return. The first three verses were inspired by Hine's experiences in the Carpathian Mountains, village evangelism, and the conversion of villagers in Russia. The fourth and final verse was inspired by displaced Russians who experienced great loss and longed to be reunited with their loved ones in heaven.
Today, "How Great Thou Art" is recognised as one of the most powerful and beloved hymns in Christian worship. Its timeless message and melody continue to resonate with worshippers worldwide, serving as a testament to the hymn's ability to transcend borders and touch the hearts of believers everywhere.
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The hymn's religious significance
"How Great Thou Art" is a popular hymn for funeral services. Originally written in Swedish, it has become one of the great Christian songs in English. The hymn's uplifting and reverent lyrics make it a comforting and hopeful choice for those mourning the loss of a loved one.
The hymn is a testament to God's greatness and the beauty of His creation. It begins with a sense of awe and wonder as the singer contemplates the works of God's hands, from the stars in the sky to the mighty thunder. This theme of nature continues as the singer wanders through woods and forests, hearing birds sing and feeling the gentle breeze. It is in these moments that the singer's soul sings out in praise and adoration to their Saviour God, proclaiming "How great Thou art!". The hymn expresses a deep faith and recognition of God's presence in the world.
The second verse takes on a more personal tone as the singer reflects on their own experiences of God's guidance and grace. It speaks of burdens and grief, but also of God's love and assurance. This verse adds a layer of comfort and hope, reminding the bereaved that God is a source of strength and solace in times of sorrow.
The final verse shifts the focus to the afterlife and the joy of being reunited with Christ. It speaks of bowing in humble adoration and proclaiming God's greatness. This verse offers a sense of peace and reassurance, especially for those who find comfort in the promise of eternal life and the belief that they will be reunited with their loved ones in heaven.
The religious significance of "How Great Thou Art" lies in its ability to convey a deep faith and trust in God, even in the face of death. The hymn serves as a reminder of God's presence in nature, His guidance in our lives, and the promise of eternal life. It is a song of praise, worship, and gratitude, uplifting those who hear it and providing a sense of solace and hope during a time of grief.
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How Great Thou Art's lyrics and verses
"How Great Thou Art" is a popular Christian hymn with roots in Sweden. The lyrics were originally written in Swedish by Carl Boberg in 1885 as a poem, "O Store Gud" ("O Great God"), set to a Swedish melody. The poem is said to have been inspired by a sudden violent thunderstorm that Boberg experienced on his way home from church.
The hymn gained popularity and spread across the world, with various translations and adaptations contributing to its widespread appeal. The English version, translated by Stuart K. Hine, includes two original verses added by Hine himself. Here are the verses and lyrics of "How Great Thou Art":
Verse 1:
O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the works 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 Saviour God, to Thee
How great Thou art, How great Thou art
Then sings my soul, my Saviour 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
Chorus:
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee
How great Thou art, How great Thou art
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee
How great Thou art, How great Thou art
Verse 3:
And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in
That on a Cross, my burdens gladly bearing
He bled and died to take away my sin
Chorus:
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee
How great Thou art, How great Thou art
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee
How great Thou art, How great Thou art
Verse 4:
When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
And 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
The hymn's uplifting yet reverent lyrics have made it a popular choice for funeral services, offering comfort and hope to those grieving. The fourth verse, inspired by displaced Russians during World War II, speaks of the joy and reunion in heaven, providing solace during difficult times.
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Frequently asked questions
'How Great Thou Art' is a hymn with uplifting and reverent lyrics that praise God and the wonders of nature.
The hymn was originally written in Swedish and first published in Russian and German translations. British missionary Stuart Wesley Keene Hine created the popular English version in 1949.
The uplifting yet reverent lyrics of 'How Great Thou Art' make it a popular choice for funeral services. The hymn also speaks of finding peace in the next life.
The hymn typically includes four verses, with the refrain "How Great Thou Art" repeated four times. The first verse begins, "O mighty God, when I behold the wonder / Of nature's beauty, wrought by words of thine".
'Morning Has Broken' and songs adapted from Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9 are also popular funeral hymns.
