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! Below is the complete Lyrics so that you can sing along.
How Great Thou Art Lyrics
[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 pow’r thru-out the universe displayed!
Chorus:
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!
[Verse 2]
When thru 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 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!
[Verse 3]
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!
Chorus:
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!
[Verse 4]
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!
Chorus:
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!
READ MORE: I'll Fly Away Lyrics and Chords
How Great Thou Art Chord
Here are the basic chords for “How Great Thou Art” in the key of G. This version is suitable for beginner to intermediate guitar players, but you can adjust it to a different key if needed.
[Verse 1]
G
O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder
C G D7 G
Consider all the works Thy hand hath made
G
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder
C G D7 G
Thy power throughout the universe displayed
[Chorus]
G C G D7 G
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee
G C G D7 G
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
G C G D7 G
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee
G C G D7 G
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
[Verse 2]
G
When through the woods and forest glades I wander
C G D7 G
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees
G
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur
C G D7 G
And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze
[Chorus]
G C G D7 G
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee
G C G D7 G
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
G C G D7 G
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee
G C G D7 G
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
[Verse 3]
G
And when I think that God, His Son not sparing
C G D7 G
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in
G
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing
C G D7 G
He bled and died to take away my sin
[Chorus]
G C G D7 G
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee
G C G D7 G
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
G C G D7 G
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee
G C G D7 G
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
[Verse 4]
G
When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
C G D7 G
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart
G
Then I shall bow in humble adoration
C G D7 G
And there proclaim, My God, how great Thou art
[Chorus]
G C G D7 G
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee
G C G D7 G
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
G C G D7 G
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee
G C G D7 G
How great Thou art, how great Thou art How Great Thou Art Song lyrics By Carrie Underwood
The Story Behind “How Great Thou Art”
“How Great Thou Art” is one of the most beloved Christian hymns of all time. It was first inspired by a German hymn based on a poem written by Swedish pastor Carl Boberg in 1885. The poem, “O Store Gud” (O Great God), was a reflection of Boberg’s awe after witnessing a powerful storm that raged over the sea and then calmed as quickly as it came. The verses convey the majesty of God’s creation and His ultimate power.
Stuart K. Hine’s Translation and Contribution
The English version we know today owes much to Stuart K. Hine, a British Methodist missionary. In 1931, while on a mission trip in Ukraine, Hine encountered the Russian translation of Boberg’s German hymn and was struck by its depth and beauty. He began to translate it into English and added several of his own verses, deeply inspired by his missionary work and the struggles of the people he encountered.
- The third verse of “How Great Thou Art” was inspired by the conversion of Russian villagers. Hine had witnessed these villagers crying out to God in repentance and recognizing His love and mercy. This led Hine to write the iconic verse: “And when I think that God, His Son not sparing, sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in.”
- The fourth verse was inspired by the experiences of displaced Russians during World War II. Many had lost loved ones or were separated by the devastation of the war, and they looked forward to the hope of being reunited with them in heaven. Hine penned the verse: “When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation to take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.”
In 1949, after years of adaptation, Hine published the final English version of the hymn. The hymn quickly spread through Britain, America, Africa, and India, becoming a staple in Christian worship worldwide.
Stuart K. Hine’s Life and Missionary Work
Stuart K. Hine and his family left Ukraine as famine and World War II intensified. They relocated to Somerset, Britain, where Hine continued his missionary work, particularly helping Polish refugees. His heart for the displaced and suffering is reflected in the heartfelt verses he wrote for the hymn.
Biblical Inspiration for “How Great Thou Art”
The hymn draws deeply from Scripture. Several key verses echo the biblical themes of God’s grandeur, His eternal nature, and His magnificent works in creation and salvation:
- Colossians 1:16 – “For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.”
This passage highlights God’s sovereignty over all creation, which is central to the hymn’s message of God’s greatness. - Psalm 90:2 – “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.”
This verse celebrates God’s eternal existence, reminding us that He is the Creator from before time began, and this is mirrored in the hymn’s lyrics about God’s power. - Psalm 105:2 – “Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works!”
This verse calls for praise and thanksgiving for God’s marvelous works, which is the central theme of “How Great Thou Art.”
The Hymn’s Legacy and Global Impact
Since its publication, “How Great Thou Art” has been sung in churches across the world, from small congregations to grand cathedrals. It is a hymn that stirs the heart with its powerful message of God’s greatness and love. It has been performed by countless artists, including George Beverly Shea and Elvis Presley, each adding their own voice to this timeless declaration of God’s majesty.
Hine’s translation and adaptation of the hymn remain a testament to his faith and deep connection to the people he ministered to throughout his life. His work continues to inspire and uplift believers today, making “How Great Thou Art” not just a hymn but a profound expression of Christian faith and devotion.
Conclusion
The journey of “How Great Thou Art” from its Swedish roots to the powerful English version we sing today is a beautiful example of how music and faith can transcend time and culture. The hymn’s message of awe, repentance, and hope in Christ continues to resonate deeply with Christians around the world.
