The beloved Christian hymn “How Great Thou Art” is a meditation on the majesty and greatness of God. Sung in churches for decades, its lyrics give voice to feelings of awe, wonder and praise towards the Creator.
Lyrics: 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
Summery
The singer expresses awe and wonder at God’s creation of the entire universe. Looking up at the stars in the night sky, they are amazed by God’s power to make all the worlds. Hearing the rumbling of thunder adds to the sense of God’s vast might. The vastness and complexity of the cosmos, from the stars to weather phenomena, showcase God’s power and abilities as the creator.
The hymn focuses on feeling small yet comforted in the face of God’s glorious, far-reaching work. Gazing out at the starry sky inspires a sense of God’s outstanding accomplishments in crafting the heavens. Thunder echoing in the distance underscores the singer’s realization of divine forces at play throughout the entire cosmos.
In just a few lines, the hymn captures the feeling of being humbled yet finding security when considering how an almighty God shaped all the worlds that are seen. It uses imagery of the night sky and weather to prompt reflection on nature as a demonstration of the creator’s supremacy and magnificence on a grand, universal scale. The brevity of the lyrics belies how effectively it conveys a message of awe before God revealed through observation of the nighttime universe.
Lyrics
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
Summery
This well-known hymn of praise captures the experience of awe and wonder when contemplating the vast work of God in creating the universe. The singer begins by gazing up at the starry night sky, struck with admiration for the countless “worlds” that God has made. Hearing the rumble of thunder in the distance only adds to the sense of God’s immense power being on display throughout the cosmos. Faced with the sheer grandeur and intricacy of the heavens above, the singing realizes their own smallness in comparison to the Almighty Creator.
Yet this inspires not fear but rather security, knowing an all-powerful God is sovereign over it all. As a result, the soul erupts into joyous song, compelled to sing praises to the Savior God. In just a few words that are repeated with fervor, the hymn succeeds in its aim to extol God’s greatness through beholding the nighttime panorama as a window into the works and excellence of the Divine. It remains a beloved hymn precisely because it so vividly captures the experience of worship stirred by awestruck wonder at the handiwork of the Lord of the universe.
Lyrics
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
Summery
This passage shifts the focus from God’s power shown in creation to His greatest demonstration of love – willingly sending Jesus to die on the cross as payment for human sin. The singer expresses being nearly unable to comprehend the depth of this selfless act, that God did not spare even His own Son but allowed Him to endure an excruciating death for the salvation of mankind. Far from a reluctant sacrifice, Jesus embraced this mission to lovingly bear the weight of all people’s transgressions.
He poured out His blood and gave His life so that forgiveness could be offered as a free gift to all who accept it. Where the opening verses filled the singer with awe before God’s supremacy in fashioning the heavens, this section fills them with even deeper reverence and gratitude for the magnitude of Christ’s willing sacrifice – that He suffered such a brutal execution to take away the stain and curse of sin. It reminds believers that for all God’s power displayed in creation, His greatest work was redeeming humanity through the ultimate saving work of His Son on the cross.
Lyrics
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
Summery
This final repetition of the refrain encapsulates the overall message and purpose of the hymn. By reprising “Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee, How great Thou art”, it underscores that proper response to contemplating both God’s power in creation and love displayed in Christ’s atoning death is to erupt in joyful, reverent song praising His greatness. Reflecting on these supreme works of divinity – fashioning the expansive universe with meticulous artistry and redeeming sinful people through crucifixion’s suffering – only intensifies the believer’s worshipful cry of “How great Thou art”. The repetition of the line mimics and enacts the enthusiastic, unending nature of the praise welling up within the soul. Overall, the hymn has fullfilled its aim of guiding listeners through the experience of admiration, reflection and blessed worship stirred by witnessing the magnificent God in both His works and word.
Lyrics
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
Summery
This hymn expresses the Christian hope of Christ’s second coming. The singer longs for the day when Jesus will return in glory to take the faithful to their true home in heaven. It captures the joy, humility and awe that believers will feel at seeing Christ face to face. When he comes “with shout of acclamation,” his followers will recognize him amid celebrations. To be “take[n] home” by the Savior is the greatest blessing.
It will fill the singer’s heart with a joy that cannot be described. Standing before the incarnate God, they will bow low in “humble adoration,” aware of their unworthiness before such a majestic being. Having been in his presence, the only fitting response will be to declare in wonder, “my God, how great Thou art.” The hymn conveys hope-filled anticipation for what will be the ultimate fulfillment for Christians – to be with their Lord forever in a place where sorrow and pain no longer exist.
Lyrics
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
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
Summery
This part of the hymn repeats the theme of expressing awe and wonder towards God. By singing “Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee,” the singer declares that their very soul cannot help but sing praise to their Savior and God. The repetition of “How great Thou art” emphasizes just how magnificently great and marvelous God is. No words can fully capture His greatness, so the singer simply repeats this phrase as the only fitting response when standing before the Creator of the universe. Each repetition is a reverent exclamation of God’s immense power, wisdom and majesty. It underscores how one’s soul must intrinsically worship and glorify such a great being. This chorus invites others to join in uplifting their voices to proclaim, however inadequately, just how great their God truly is.
FAQs About “How Great Thou Art lyrics?”
Who originally wrote How Great Thou Art?
The hymn was originally a Swedish folk poem written in 1885 by Carl Boberg. It was put to music and translated into English in the mid-20th century.
What is the meaning of How Great Thou Art?
The hymn expresses deep reverence, awe and wonder towards God for His majesty, power and works of creation. It declares how insufficient words are to fully capture His greatness.
What Bible verse says How Great Thou Art?
While the hymn itself is not directly based on a single Bible passage, it draws inspiration from Psalms and other verses that declare God’s infinite glory and might, such as Psalms 8:1,9.
What is the story behind the song “Because He Lives”?
Written in the 1970s, it celebrates that because Jesus conquered death by His resurrection, believers have the hope of eternal life even amid struggles.
In what key is How Great Thou Art usually sung?
The hymn is traditionally performed in the key of D major. However, there are choral and solo arrangements available in other keys to suit different vocal ranges.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the beloved hymn “How Great Thou Art” masterfully conveys a spirit of worship towards God through its powerful lyrics and melody. Drawing from scriptural visions of divine glory and might, it declares the insufficiency of words to fully capture or comprehend the greatness of the Creator. The hymn encourages believers to reflect on who God is – an infinitely wise, magnificent and miraculous being.
