ALTHOUGH this hymn is often associated with the crusades of Billy Graham, it originated in nineteenth-century Europe.

In 1886 Swedish pastor Carl Boberg was caught in a sudden thunderstorm while visiting a beautiful country estate.

As the storm passed, giving way to the sweet songs of birds and a green countryside glistening in the sunlight. Boberg composed the nine original stanzas of this hymn.

In time the hymn was translated into German and Russian. It was noticed by a British missionary who was serving in the Ukraine.

That missionary, Reverend Stuart K. Hine, often sang the song with his wife as they ministered there.

Later they translated three stanzas into English from the Russian and Hine himself added a fourth.

O Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder Consider all the worlds thy hands have 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 Savior, 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,

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.

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!

~Carl Boberg {1859-1940}

Translated by: Stuart K.Hine {1899-1989}

"As a shepherd leads his sheep, calling each by its pet name, and counts them to see that none are lost or strayed, so God does with stars and planets!"

Isaiah 40:26

"How Great Thou Art"

Text reference from: "The One Year Book Of Hymns"

Compiled and Edited by: Robert K. Brown and Mark R.Norton

Devotions Written by: William J.Peterson and Randy Peterson