How Great Thou Art – Mormon Tabernacle Choir

In 1885 Carl Boberg’s walk home through a summer storm would inspire him to write ‘O Store Gud’ (O Mighty God), later to become known as “How Great Thou Art”, one of the most enduring lyrics in Christianity. Carl lived in Kronobäck, Sweden, overlooking the stunning Mönsterås Bay where heaven and nature combine in a continual tug-of-war between beautiful vistas and violent storms.

Boberg recorded in his journal

“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.'”

In the 1930s, a British Methodist missionary named Stuart Wesley Keene Hine, serving in the Ukraine, translated this hymn into Russian, and then to English becoming “How Great Thou Art”. Rev. Hine was inspired to add the stirring third verse;

“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” is the penultimate song of praise to God and to His innumerable blessings. Our Thanksgiving playlist would not be complete without it!

Enjoy this lush orchestration of “How Great Thou Art”, arranged by Nathan Hofheins (listen for the birds!), including Stuart K. Hine’s glorious verse (which always gives me goosebumps and often brings tears), performed by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square. Enjoy! – MoSop

HOW GREAT THOU ART – LYRICS

Oh 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

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

Then sings my soul
My Savior God to Thee
How great Thou art
How great Thou art

When Christ shall come,
With shouts 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!”

Then sings my soul
My Savior God to Thee
How great Thou art
How great Thou art

How great Thou art
How great… Thou art

How great Thou art
Oh Lord, my God

How great Thou art
How great Thou art
Oh Lord, my God
(Repeat)

Purchase “How Great Thou Art” from the album “Then Sings My Soul”:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/RrYn9o