Everyone knows the classic gospel worship song “How Great Thou Art.” But have you ever really thought about the lyrics? Scroll on down to learn more about this beautiful Christian song.
“How Great Thou Art” Song History
The worship song “How Great Thou Art” has seen its share of development over time. Originally, it was a German song named “O Store Gud”, meaning “O Great God” which was the poem written by Carl Boberg. The inspiration for “O Store Gud” came to Boberg while on his way home when it suddenly started to storm, but immediately died down just when it arrived. The peace he suddenly felt then became the inspiration for the beautiful poem.
In 1931, A British Methodist missionary named Stuart K. Hine went to Ukraine and listened to a Russian translation of the song while on an evangelic mission to the Carpathian Mountains. Feeling inspired, he began translating the song into English and included additional verses. According to Hine, the third verse in “How Great Thou Art” was inspired by repentance and realization of Russian villagers who were converted. Touched by their action and seeing God’s almighty love and mercy, he put to pen and paper the following: “And when I think that God, His Son not sparing, Sent Him to die, I scarcely can take it in.”
Just as famine and war were about to hit Ukraine, Stuart Hine and his family fled to Somerset, Britain as he continued to be a missionary. There, he aided the Polish refugees that became displaced. He added the fourth verse of “How Great Thou Art” after the Second World War. The inspiration came to him in the form of the displaced Russians who were taking heavy tolls from all the loss they experienced and were taking refuge in the thoughts of being with their loved ones in heaven. The line “When Christ shall come with shoult of acclamation to take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.,” rings a hopeful longing for Christ as it means they will be reunited with friends and families soon.
In 1949, the final English version of “How Great Thou Art” was realized and spread across the world. Today, the song has multiple renditions and is sung in different languages, all proclaiming the grandeur of God.
“How Great Thou Art” Lyrics
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.
Chorus:
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 see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.
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!
And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing;
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on a Cross, my burdens gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.
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 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 then proclaim: “My God, how great Thou art!”
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!
Sam Pio Performs “How Great Thou Art”
Sam Pio or Samantha Ismael Grabiel Pio a 10-year-old singer from Thousands Oak, California is a Christian recording artist, model, and actress. She started her entertainment industry career as a baby model appearing in national print ads, “OshKosh B’gosh” as early as the age of one, and from then on Sam has appeared in theater production, commercials, and independent films across the United States.
In the YouTube video below, Sam graced the stage of the ASi 2021 Convention (Adventist-Laymen’s Services & Industries) last August 5, 2021, singing live the song “How Great Thou Art” in front of hundreds of leaders and millions of viewers worldwide. At such a young age, she has already captured the hearts of her audience with her beautiful rendition of How Great Thou Art. There have been many covers of this song, but nothing compares to Sam Pio’s rendition of it due to her angelic voice. You would be surprised that she can sing as if she has been doing so for decades.
Sam said that performing the song “How Great Thou Art” live has captured the vision that God gave her when she was 4 years old when she told her mother that someday she will be on a huge stage telling the world about God’s love.
At such a young age, Sam Pio will no doubt become one of the great songstresses. We can’t wait to see how bright her future becomes.
Sam Pio performing “How Great Thou Art” brings the lyrics to life in such a beautiful and powerful way.
Carrie Underwood is one of the popular artists who sang “How Great Thou Art”, and is included in her “My Savior Album” which can be listened to on Amazon Music.
Out of all the music covers of “How Great Thou Art,” the most well-known rendition of the song is the version done by the legendary “King of Rock and Roll” himself, Elvis Presley, from his album Peace In The Valley – The Complete Gospel Recordings. Recorded between 1956 to 1977 and released on September 12, 2000, which is also available on Amazon Music
