Grace Thompson
How Great Thou Art is a popular hymn that has touched the hearts and souls of Christians around the world. The song has an interesting history, with its origins dating back to 1885 when Swedish preacher Carl Boberg wrote the poem O Store Gud. Over the years, it has been translated into various languages, including German, English, and Russian, and has evolved into the beloved hymn it is today. The English version, created by British missionary Stuart K. Hine, has become widely accepted and spread globally through missionary work and publications. The hymn's powerful message of admiration for God as both Creator and Redeemer, along with its memorable melody, has made it a favourite among many.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Original Author | Carl G. Boberg |
| Original Language | Swedish |
| Original Title | O Store Gud |
| Original Year | 1885 |
| English Translator | Stuart K. Hine |
| English Year | 1949 |
| English Title | How Great Thou Art |
| English Version Composer | Stuart K. Hine |
| Melody | Swedish folk melody adapted by Stuart K. Hine |
| Number of Verses | 4 |
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What You'll Learn
The hymn's development and impact
The Christian hymn "How Great Thou Art" is one of the most popular in the US, and its development is as impressive as its impact. The hymn was inspired by a sudden violent thunderstorm that its writer, Swedish preacher Carl Boberg, experienced in 1885. After the storm had cleared, Boberg opened his window and looked out towards the sea. The evening was quiet, and he could hear the sound of church bells. It was these sights and sounds that inspired the words of "O Store Gud" ("O Mighty God"), which he set to the tune of a Swedish folk melody.
In the early 1920s, British missionaries Stuart and his wife ministered in Poland, where they learned the Russian version of Boberg's poem, coupled with the original Swedish melody. Inspired, Stuart wrote his own English version of the lyrics, including the phrase "How Great Thou Art" four times in the refrain. He also crafted his own arrangement of the Swedish melody and shared it as he ministered in his home country.
When the Second World War ended, Stuart wrote the fourth and final verse, giving the song its structure of two verses expressing wonderment at God as Creator, followed by two expressing even greater wonder at God as Saviour. He then published his version in a British magazine that was sent to missionaries in 15 countries across Europe and Asia.
In 1954, J. Edwin Orr, a British-American missionary, travelled to north-eastern India, where he heard a Naga choir sing "How Great Thou Art". He brought the song to the United States, where he shared it at conferences for college students. Spencer's children attended one of these conferences and loved the hymn so much that they told their father, Tim Spencer, about it. Spencer founded Manna Music in 1955 and negotiated with Stuart Hine to purchase the song rights. Spencer's ownership and promotion of the hymn brought it even more exposure and popularity, especially when it became a featured part of the Billy Graham Crusades.
"How Great Thou Art" has been covered by numerous artists, including world-renowned singing cowboy Tim Spencer, country artist Carrie Underwood, and Pentatonix and Jennifer Hudson. It has also been featured in major films and television programmes. There have been over 1,700 documented recordings of the hymn, and it has been named as the favourite hymn of at least three US presidents.
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The original poem by Carl G. Boberg
The Christian hymn "How Great Thou Art" is based on an original Swedish hymn entitled "O Store Gud" written in 1885 by Carl Boberg (1859–1940). Boberg was a Swedish preacher, poet, government official, and member of parliament. He was influenced by the religious revival movements of the time and was part of the Mission Covenant Church of Sweden.
The poem "O Store Gud" ('O Great God') was written with nine stanzas and was first published in 1886 in the Mönsterås Tidningen (Mönsterås News). It is said that Boberg was inspired to write the poem while walking home from church near Kronobäck, Sweden, listening to church bells. The poem was set to an old Swedish folk tune and was first sung in public in a church in the Swedish province of Värmland in 1888.
In the late 1800s, several versions of the poem were published, and it began to spread beyond Sweden. In the early 1900s, it was translated into German, and a Russian version appeared shortly after. The English missionary Stuart K. Hine first heard the Russian version of the song in Ukraine in the early 1930s. He and his wife sang it with locals for several years before he translated it into English. Hine's version, "How Great Thou Art," became popular and is now known as the hymn we sing today.
Hine's English translation includes four verses, with the first two verses derived from Boberg's original poem and the last two composed by Hine himself. Hine's third verse is a memorial to the millions of Christians murdered during Stalin's artificial famine in Ukraine, and his fourth and final verse is inspired by the plight of refugees in the Second World War.
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Stuart K. Hine's English translation
The Christian hymn "How Great Thou Art" is based on the Swedish hymn "O Store Gud", written in 1885 by Carl Boberg. The English version of the hymn is a translation by British missionary Stuart K. Hine, who first heard the Russian translation of the German version while on an evangelistic mission to the Carpathian Mountains. Hine was inspired to create his own English version, including the phrase "How Great Thou Art" four times in the refrain.
Hine's translation combines a sense of awe of nature with the New Testament gospel of Christ's atoning death and glorious return. The third verse was inspired by the conversion of villagers in Russia who loudly called out to God, praising Him for His love and mercy. Hine wrote down the phrases he heard and, although they were in Russian, they became the third verse:
> "And when I think that God, His Son not sparing, Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in."
Hine added two stanzas of his own and published and copyrighted his work in 1949. He later added two optional copyrighted verses in 1953, which are historically absent from modern publications. The final English version of "How Great Thou Art" was published in 1949 and quickly spread throughout Britain, Africa, India, and America.
The hymn was popularised by George Beverly Shea and Cliff Barrows during Billy Graham's crusades. It was voted the British public's favourite hymn by BBC's Songs of Praise and was ranked second on a list of the favourite hymns of all time in a survey by Christianity Today magazine in 2001.
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The hymn's melody and musical setting
The melody of "How Great Thou Art" is based on a Swedish folk melody that was adapted by Stuart K. Hine. Hine, a British missionary, first heard the Russian translation of the German version of the song while on an evangelistic mission to the Carpathian Mountains in 1931. He was inspired to create his own English paraphrase, which became the widely accepted version of the hymn known today.
Hine's version of the hymn was influenced by his experiences in Ukraine, where he witnessed Ukrainian devotional practices involving acts of public repentance. He also encountered displaced Russians who had experienced great loss during World War II and looked forward to reuniting with their loved ones in heaven. These experiences inspired the lyrics and melody of the hymn.
The original poem, "O Store Gud," was written by Swedish preacher Carl G. Boberg in 1885. Several years later, Boberg was surprised to hear his poem being sung to an old Swedish melody. This Swedish melody was later adapted by Hine for his English version of the hymn.
Hine's English version of "How Great Thou Art" was published in 1949 and quickly spread across Britain, Africa, India, and America. It has since been translated into more than 50 languages and is widely sung and shared by Christians around the world. The hymn has become a beloved staple in many Christian traditions, including Catholic liturgies and services.
The musical setting of "How Great Thou Art" has evolved over time. Initially, the poem was set to music in a disconcerting triple time, but within a decade, it was replaced by the familiar 4/4 version of the tune. This evolution in musical setting reflects the hymn's journey and adaptation across different cultures and languages.
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The hymn's popularity and spread
"How Great Thou Art" is a beloved Christian hymn that has touched the hearts of countless believers around the world. Its powerful message of awe and gratitude for God's majesty and creation resonates deeply with people from all walks of life. The hymn's enduring popularity and widespread reach can be attributed to its ability to transcend denominational boundaries and cultural differences, uniting Christians in praise and worship.
The origins of "How Great Thou Art" can be traced back to a Swedish poem written by Carl Boberg in 1885, titled "O Store Gud." However, it was the English translation and adaptation by missionary Stuart Hine in the 1940s that truly propelled the hymn to international acclaim. Hine's version captured the essence of Boberg's original poem while making it more accessible to English-speaking audiences.
The hymn quickly gained popularity in evangelical Protestant churches, where its simple yet profound lyrics and uplifting melody struck a chord with congregations. It became a staple in hymnals and songbooks, and its impact extended beyond the walls of the church, finding its way into gospel concerts, revival meetings, and even secular gatherings.
The Catholic Church, recognizing the beauty and theological depth of "How Great Thou Art," embraced the hymn as well. It has been included in Catholic hymnals and is often sung during Mass, especially in more liturgical denominations. The hymn's themes of God's greatness and the wonder of creation align perfectly with Catholic doctrine and devotion.
The spread of "How Great Thou Art" can also be attributed to its use in media and popular culture. It has been featured in numerous films, television shows, and musical recordings, introducing it to a broader audience outside of traditional church settings. Additionally, the hymn has been translated into countless languages, making it accessible to Christians worldwide, regardless of their native tongue.
Today, "How Great Thou Art" remains a cherished hymn in Christian communities across the globe. Its enduring popularity is a testament to the universal appeal of its message and the power of music to unite people in faith and worship. The hymn continues to inspire and uplift, serving as a reminder of God's greatness and our place in His wondrous creation.
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Frequently asked questions
The Catholic version of the hymn "How Great Thou Art" is titled "O God, How Great Thou Art".
The hymn was originally a poem titled "O Store Gud" ("O Mighty God"), written by Swedish preacher Carl G. Boberg in 1885. Several years later, Boberg was surprised to hear his poem being sung to an old Swedish melody. In the early 1920s, English missionaries Stuart K. Hine and his wife learned the Russian version of Boberg's poem, which was coupled with the original Swedish melody. Hine then wrote original English lyrics and made his own arrangement of the Swedish melody, which became the popular hymn "How Great Thou Art".
Stuart K. Hine's English version of the lyrics has two verses expressing wonder at God as the Creator, followed by two verses expressing even greater wonder at God as the Saviour.
"How Great Thou Art" is a masterpiece because it is deeply Athanasian. The melody is easily adaptable, and the hymn has been tinkered with and adjusted many times in many lands, making it the common work of diverse Christians united in their admiration of God as the Creator and Redeemer.
