Rachel Evans
How Great Thou Art is a well-known Christian hymn that praises God as the Creator and Redeemer of the world. The hymn has a unique history, with its poem originally set to music in triple time before being adjusted to the familiar 4/4 version within a decade. The lyrics, with their clear structure, express wonderment at God's power and creation, followed by even greater admiration for God as a Saviour. The hymn is considered deeply Athanasian, similar to St. Athanasius' work on the Incarnation, and has been translated and accepted worldwide, with Stuart K. Hine's 1949 English version being the most popular.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Lyrics | O Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder, Consider all the works Thy hand hath made. I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder, Thy power throughout the universe displayed... |
| Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee: How great Thou art, how great Thou art! | |
| Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee; 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; | |
| How great Thou art! How great Thou art! | |
| Language | English (translated from Swedish) |
| Translator | Stuart K. Hine (1949) |
| Structure | Two verses expressing wonder at God as Creator, followed by two expressing wonder at God as Savior |
| Musical Setting | Originally set to music in triple time, but later changed to a 4/4 version |
| Diversity | The hymn brings together diverse characters and settings, including a Swedish poet, a Ukrainian peasant, and a refugee, showcasing a genuine diversity. |
| Theme | Praise and admiration for God as both Creator and Redeemer of the world |
Explore related products
![St. Joseph Sunday Missal Prayerbook and Hymnal for 2025 [Paperback] Catholic Book Publishing Corp](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/711pTpsvKkL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
$4.25
![St. Joseph Sunday Missal Prayerbook and Hymnal for 2026 [Paperback] Catholic Book Publishing Corp](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71N-HHa6foL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
What You'll Learn
The hymn's Athanasian nature
The hymn "How Great Thou Art" is considered a masterpiece of Athanasian character. The lyrics of the hymn were inspired by an 1885 poem by a lay minister, Carl Boberg, who was astounded by the majesty of clouds and light after a thunderstorm. The poem was a meditation on Psalm 8, "What is man that thou are mindful of him?".
The hymn, like the works of St. Athanasius, praises the Saviour of the world and the Incarnation. It reflects on the beauty and wonder of God's creation, from the stars in the sky to the gentle breeze in the forest. The hymn also acknowledges God's sacrifice in sending his son to die on the cross to take away the sins of humanity.
The fourth verse of "How Great Thou Art" was inspired by displaced Russians during World War II, who longed to be reunited with their loved ones in heaven. The hymn has a universal appeal, resonating with people from different walks of life, such as a Swedish poet, a Ukrainian peasant, and a refugee.
The Catholic faithful use this hymn during Communion for Mass and other liturgical celebrations. The hymn's message of awe and gratitude towards God's power and love has made it a popular choice for Christian worship services. The final English version of "How Great Thou Art" was published in 1949 and quickly spread internationally.
Australian Catholic Cardinals: A Comprehensive Overview
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Its evolution over time
The Christian hymn "How Great Thou Art" has undergone a fascinating evolution since its inception in the 19th century. The hymn, now recognised as one of the most powerful hymns of all time, was originally a Swedish poem titled "O Store Gud" ("O Mighty God" or "O Great God"), written by Swedish poet and lay minister Carl Boberg in 1885.
The poem is said to have been inspired by a sudden violent thunderstorm that Boberg experienced on his way home from church. After the storm had cleared, Boberg returned home and, looking out towards the sea, was struck by the peaceful sights and sounds of the evening, including the sound of church bells. These contrasting experiences sparked the words of "O Store Gud".
A few years later, in 1888, the poem was matched with a traditional Swedish folk melody and first sung in a church. Over time, the hymn underwent multiple translations and adaptations, spreading across the world and gaining popularity. It has been tinkered with and adjusted by diverse Christians, all united in their admiration for God as the Creator and Redeemer.
One notable translator was British missionary Stuart K. Hine, who created the widely accepted English version of the hymn. Hine first heard the Russian translation of the German version while on a mission in the Carpathian Mountains. He finalised his English translation in 1949, and it quickly spread across Britain, Africa, India, and America. Hine's version is recognised as the number one hymn in America and has been covered by notable performers such as Pentatonix, Jennifer Hudson, and Carrie Underwood.
The hymn's evolution continued with various translations and adaptations, including additional verses, and it has been included in multiple hymnals and songbooks. The final English version, with its fresh language and striking metaphors, has been published in hymnals and sung by choirs and congregations worldwide, contributing to its enduring popularity and impact.
The Path to Catholic Marriage: Prep Timeline
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The original poem's musical setting
The Christian hymn "How Great Thou Art" has become a popular song of worship for many Christians around the world. The original poem was written by Swedish poet Carl Boberg in Sweden in 1885, and was initially set to music in triple time, a rhythm that did not match the tone of the poem. Within a decade, the 4/4 version of the tune that is now familiar had replaced it.
The poem was translated into German and Russian before an English version was created by missionary Stuart Hine in the 1940s. Hine's version has become the most widely accepted, with a clear structure that first expresses wonderment at God as a creator and then as a saviour.
> O Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder
Consider all the works Thy hand hath made.
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.
> 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!
The hymn's enduring appeal may be due in part to the fact that it has been "tinkered with and adjusted many times, and in many lands", becoming a collaborative work of diverse Christians united in their admiration of God.
Psychology Degrees: Catholic University's Worth?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The widely accepted English version by Stuart K. Hine
The hymn "How Great Thou Art" has been tinkered with and adjusted many times and in many lands, through the collective work of diverse Christians united in their admiration of God as the Creator and Redeemer.
Stuart K. Hine's 1949 English version of the lyrics has become the most widely accepted iteration of the hymn worldwide. It has a clear structure: the first two verses express wonder at God as the Creator, and the following two verses express even greater wonder at God as the Saviour.
The first verse begins with the singer addressing God: "O Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder / Consider all the works Thy hand hath made". The singer then goes on to describe the wonders of the natural world that God has created: "I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder / Thy power throughout the universe displayed".
The second verse continues in this vein, with the singer wandering through the woods and forest glades, hearing the birds singing sweetly in the trees, looking down from lofty mountain grandeur, hearing the brook, and feeling the gentle breeze.
In the third and fourth verses, the singer's focus shifts from God as Creator to God as Saviour. The singer reflects on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, God's Son: "And when I think that God, his Son not sparing / Sent him to die, I scarce can take it in". The singer expresses awe and gratitude that Christ "bled and died to take away my sin".
Through its powerful and evocative lyrics, Hine's version of "How Great Thou Art" captures the awe and devotion that Christians around the world feel towards God and reinforces the central tenets of their faith.
Comcast's Catholic Channel: Is It Available?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![How Great Thou Art for Piano Solo pub. Porte [Jackman Music] #00400](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61Gg+79LLLL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
![How Great Thou Art[DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71xj71Z-G-L._AC_UY218_.jpg)
The imagery and themes within the hymn
The hymn's imagery is drawn from nature, with references to the stars, rolling thunder, woods, forest glades, mountain grandeur, birds singing in the trees, brooks, and gentle breezes. This natural imagery serves as a backdrop to the central theme of God's power and majesty as the Creator of the universe. The singer expresses awe and wonder at the works of God's hands, seeing His power displayed throughout creation.
As the hymn progresses, the focus shifts to God as Saviour. The singer contemplates the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, God's Son, who "bled and died to take away my sin". This theme of salvation through Christ's death on the cross is a central tenet of Christian faith, and the hymn expresses profound gratitude and wonder at God's redeeming love.
The imagery of nature and creation returns in the final verses, with the singer wandering through the woods and hearing the birds sing. This reminder of God's beautiful creation serves as a contrast to the sacrifice of Christ, highlighting the depth of God's love and the magnitude of His gift to humanity.
Overall, the imagery and themes within "How Great Thou Art" reflect a deep reverence for God as both Creator and Saviour. The hymn's universal themes and diverse origins have made it a beloved and widely accepted expression of faith for Christians around the world.
Catholic Charities: Fundraising Structure Explained
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The hymn was originally a poem that was set to music in triple time. Within a decade, however, it was adjusted to the familiar 4/4 version that is known today. The lyrics were translated into English by Stuart K. Hine in 1949, and this version is now widely accepted around the world.
Like St. Athanasius' work on the Incarnation, the hymn praises the Saviour of the world and God as its Creator.
The hymn first expresses wonderment at God as Creator in its first two verses, and then wonderment at God as Saviour in the following two verses.
