How Great Thou Art

How Great Thou Art is one of the most beloved hymns of the Christian Church. It has ministered to believers since it was written. But best of all it ministers to us when we are in times of distress. Why not sing this wonderful song as your read the words.

Originally a Swedish folk melody, "O Store Gud" by Carl Boberg (1859-1940) was translated by Stuart K. Hine in 1899.

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:

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:

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:

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!

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!

None of us enjoy the difficulties of life, especially when we, or other believers are the source of the difficulty. We can either be the source of so much good or so much harm if we are not careful to be following after Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit. It grieves my spirit so very much when I am the source of distress to a fellow believer, how about you? This is when the last line of the third verse is so very blessed - “He bled and died to take away my sin.”

There are, of course, other sources of distress that can come to our lives. Illness, financial set backs, loss of loved ones, even the whole process of growing older can bring it’s share of challenges and even heart ache.

When the hardships come it is wonderful to rely upon the Great One! He created and controls all things by the word of His power. He is the One who gave songs to the birds, thunder and lightening to applaud His greatness in the heavens. But even greater, this Great God, did not spare His Son but sent Him to die for our sins. That third verse again says that, on the cross He gladly bore my burdens.

Since our Lord did all that for us, how can we but help to sing from our souls “How Great Thou Art!”

There is more. Not only does He bless and help us in this life, our dear Lord is coming again to take us to be with Himself for all eternity. What a day that will be!

So how great is He? Greater than all of creation. Greater than all of the mighty storms, hurricanes, and tornadoes. Greater than all the power that mankind has developed. Greater than all the difficulties that have ever come your way. Greater than the illnesses. Greater than all the financial difficulties. He is so very great!

But, of all the wonderful greatness of our God, He is above all Greater than all of my sin! Oh, how can our souls help not to sing, “how very, very Great Thou art!”

Have a wonderful day serving our Wonderful Lord, by Grace Alone!