"How Great Thou Art" is a Christian hymn based on a Swedish poem written by

Carl Gustav Boberg (1859–1940) in Sweden in 1885. The melody is a Swedish folk song. It was

translated into English by British missionary Stuart K. Hine, who also added two original verses of

his own composition. It was popularized by George Beverly Shea and Cliff Barrows during the

Billy Graham crusades.^[1] It was voted the United Kingdom's favourite hymn by BBC's

Songs of Praise.

The author, Carl Boberg himself gave the following information about the inspiration behind his

poem:

"It was that time of year when everything seemed to be in its richest colouring; the birds were

singing in trees and everywhere. It was very warm; a thunderstorm appeared on the horizon and

soon thunder and lightning. We had to hurry to shelter. But the storm was soon over and the

clear sky appeared.

"When I came home I opened my window toward the sea. There evidently had been a funeral

and the bells were playing the tune of 'When eternity's clock calling my saved soul to its

Sabbath rest.' That evening, I wrote the song, 'O Store Gud^'

^{(Abstract from Wikipedia)}

How Great Thou Art 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.

Refrain:

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!

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:

(Repeat Refrain.)

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:

(Repeat Refrain.)

When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation

And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!

Then I shall bow in humble adoration,

And there proclaim, my God, how great Thou art!

(Repeat Refrain.)