How Great Thou Art

How Great Thou Art was my mother and my grandmother’s favorite hymn.  It was written as a poem originally by Carl Gustav Boberg in Sweden in 1885.  The melody is a Swedish folksong. It is a timeless beautiful hymn that is now also my favorite. Just think, three generations of Lutheran Norwegians take great pleasure from the same precious beloved hymn.  I love the words in the refrain “then sings my soul”. God gave us glorious gifts of beauty on this earth so that our souls will sing with joy and wonder at the greatness of His creation.  Music, art, poetry, nature and literature all have way of lifting the spirit and healing an aching heart.   Check out these words:

O Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder

Consider all the works Thy hand hath made.

I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,

Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Refrain:

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 hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze:

(Repeat Refrain.)

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:

(Repeat Refrain.)

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!

(Repeat Refrain.)

Here is a YouTube video so  you can hear the song performed, by uh....well you will never guess...okay it’s Elvis Presley.  Big Smile!!!  I admit it.  I saw him perform this song live in Seattle in 1972!  Oh yes I did!

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=youtube+how+great+thou+art&view=detail&mid=C7973B82F1C4D4C2B0B1C7973B82F1C4D4C2B0B1&first=41&FORM=NVPFVR

I like this version too by Carrie Underwood and Vince Gill.  My mother loved Country music so mom - this one is for you. 

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xihhll_vince-gill-carrie-underwood-how-great-thou-art_music#.UT_biI4ytzo

Whats your favorite hymn?