How Great Thou Art: The Hymn that Touched the World

How Great Thou Art is a Christian hymn based on a Swedish poem written by Carl Boberg in 1885. In 2010, the hymn was voted the United Kingdom’s favorite.

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How the hymn came to be written

It is impossible to overstate the impact of the hymn “How Great Thou Art” on both the popular and religious music scene. Originally written in Swedish in 1885 by Carl Boberg, a Swedish pastor, the hymn was adapted into English in 1927 by English missionary Stuart K. Hine. The hymn quickly gained popularity, being recorded by some of the biggest names in music, including Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash. In 2001, it was named the United Kingdom’s favorite hymn in a poll conducted by BBC’s Songs of Praise.

The hymn’s popularity is due in part to its simple, yet powerful message of praising God for His creation. The first verse begins with the line “O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder,” which perfectly sets the tone for the rest of the song. Each subsequent verse builds upon this idea, culminating in the final verse, which proclaims that “when Christ shall come with shout of acclamation and take me home what joy shall fill my heart then.”

It is this message of hope and praise that has resonated with so many people over the years and has made “How Great Thou Art” one of the most beloved hymns of all time.

The hymn’s impact on the world

The hymn, “How Great Thou Art,” has been a source of inspiration and hope for people around the world for many years. The hymn was originally written in Swedish by Carl Boberg in 1885, but it was not until 1949 that the English version of the hymn was published. The hymn has been translated into over 100 languages and is one of the most popular hymns in the world.

The hymn has been particularly popular in times of disaster and turmoil. After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, several churches around the United States held special services where “How Great Thou Art” was sung. The hymn was also sung at Pope John Paul II’s funeral in 2005. In 2010, after a massive earthquake struck Haiti, survivors sang the hymn as they waited to be rescued from the rubble.

The hymn has also been used to inspire people to take action on social justice issues. In 2008, when Barack Obama was elected as the first African-American president of the United States, “How Great Thou Art” was played at his victory celebration. In 2013, when Nelson Mandela died, South Africans gathered together to sing “How Great Thou Art” in tribute to his life and work.

The simple message of “How Great Thou Art” – that we are all children of God and that God is love – is one that resonates with people of all faiths and backgrounds. It is this message that has made the hymn an enduring classic that will continue to touch hearts and minds for many years to come.

The hymn’s place in popular culture

“How Great Thou Art” is a Christian hymn based on a Swedish poem written by Carl Boberg in 1885. The hymn first appeared in print in the Svenska Missionsförbundets Tidskrift in 1886.
It has been translated into several languages and is one of the most popular hymns in the world. The hymn has been recorded by many artists, including Chris Tomlin, Alan Jackson, Carrie Underwood, and George Beverly Shea.
In 2010, the hymn was voted the United Kingdom’s favorite.

The hymn’s theological significance

The hymn “How Great Thou Art” has been described as a “theological anthem.” Theologian Michael Horton writes that the hymn is “one of the most powerful expressions of the theology of the cross ever penned.”

The lyrics of the hymn are based on a poem by Swedish pastor Carl Boberg, who was inspired by a storm he observed while walking home from church one evening. Boberg wrote the poem in 1885, and it was first published in a Swedish newspaper in 1889.

The hymn first gained popularity in English-speaking countries in the 1950s, when it was translated by English missionary Stuart K. Hine. Hine’s translation was based on Boberg’s original Swedish poem, and it conveyed the theology of the cross that is so central to the hymn.

The hymn has been recorded by many artists over the years, including Johnny Cash, Emmylou Harris, and Carrie Underwood. In 2010, a version of the song performed by gospel singer Alan Jackson went to number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.

“How Great Thou Art” has been called a “timeless expression of faith.” It is a beloved hymn that continues to touch hearts and minds all over the world.

The hymn’s place in worship

How Great Thou Art is a Christian hymn based on a Swedish poem written by Carl Boberg in 1885. The hymn first appeared in print in the July 1, 1891, edition of the Swedish evangelical periodical Svenska Missions-Tidningen.As of 2005, the hymn has been translated into 109 languages.

While visiting Sweden in 2004, Pope John Paul II called How Great Thou Art “one of the most beautiful songs of the Church.” In 2010, it was voted the United Kingdom’s favorite hymn by readers of the Church Times.

The hymn has taken on particular meaning for many English speakers ever since George Beverly Shea sang it at Billy Graham’s New York crusade in 1957. The evangelist later recalled that he had been considering what song to sing at that moment when he opened his Bible and his eyes fell on the words “How great Thou art.”

Today, How Great Thou Art is sung across denominational lines and is a staple in many worship services around the world.

The hymn’s musical history

The hymn “How Great Thou Art” is a adaptation of a Russian folk song, “O store Gud.” This folk song was adapted by Swedish missionaries in the early 1900s, and then translated into English in 1927 by English missionary Stuart K. Hine. The English version of the hymn was popularized by George Beverly Shea, who sang it at evangelistic meetings around the world. Billy Graham adopted the hymn as his own personal theme song, and it has been recorded by many artists over the years, including Johnny Cash, Carrie Underwood, and Alan Jackson.

The hymn’s influence on other hymns

The hymn’s influence on other hymns

How Great Thou Art is a canticle, or hymn, that has been adapted and translated into many languages. The original Swedish version was written by Carl Boberg in 1885. It is based on a poem by Ptahhotep, an Egyptian sage who lived around 2500 BC.

The hymn was first translated into English in 1887 by Stuart K. Hine, who also wrote the well-known gospel song, “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands.” Hine’s version of How Great Thou Art was popularized by George Beverly Shea and became a staple of evangelicalism.

Today, the hymn is sung in churches all over the world and has even been recorded by popular secular artists such as Barbra Streisand and Elvis Presley. Its message of God’s greatness and love for humanity has resonated with people of all faiths for centuries and shows no signs of slowing down.

The hymn’s place in the history of Christianity

How Great Thou Art is a Christian hymn based on a Swedish traditional melody and a poem written by Carl Boberg in Mönsterås, Sweden in 1885. The poem was translated into German and then into Russian. It was popularised by George Beverly Shea and Cliff Richard and has been translated into many languages.

The hymn has been particularly popular in the evangelical tradition of Christianity and is often sung in churches around the world. It is also frequently heard at Christian events such as conferences and conventions. The hymn has been recorded by many artists and has been featured in a number of films and television programs.

The hymn’s place in the history of music

The hymn “How Great Thou Art” has been one of the most popular Christian songs for generations. The hymn has been recorded by some of the most famous musicians in the world and has been translated into many languages.

The hymn was written by Swedish missionary Carl Boberg in 1885. Boberg was inspired to write the hymn after hearing a thunderstorm while he was working in his garden. After the storm, Boberg looked out over the beautiful Swedish countryside and was filled with a sense of awe at the power and majesty of God.

Boberg originally wrote the song in Swedish, but it was later translated into English by British missionary Stuart K. Hine. The English version of the song became very popular, particularly after it was recorded by George Beverly Shea in 1955.

Since then, “How Great Thou Art” has been recorded by many other artists, including Elvis Presley, Carrie Underwood, and Michael W. Smith. The song remains one of the most popular hymns today and continues to touch hearts all over the world.

The hymn’s place in the history of the world

The hymn “How Great Thou Art” is one of the most popular hymns in the world. It is sung in churches of many different denominations, and has been translated into hundreds of languages. The hymn has its roots in a Swedish folk song, but was popularized by English preacher George Matheson in the 19th century. In the late 20th century, the hymn was recorded by many different artists, including Elvis Presley and Mahalia Jackson. The hymn continues to touch the hearts of people all over the world.