Come with me on a journey through time and space and watch God spin a miracle, crossing more than ten countries and spanning more than seventy years.
First, Sweden, 1885: Pastor and poet Carl Boberg watches a storm roll across the countryside—loud and blustery with pelting rain. For all its fury however, the maelstrom soon moves on and leaves behind a sparkling landscape, arched by a glowing rainbow.
Boberg is inspired to write and composes a nine-verse poem, “O Great God,” celebrating the beauty of God’s creation.
In 1891 he hears his poem being sung, set to a traditional Swedish melody. He publishes his poem and the tune together. However, the popularity of “O Great God” quickly subsides.
Second, Estonia, 1907: Manfred von Glehn becomes acquainted with Boberg’s hymn and translates the lyrics into German. . .
. . . and third, in 1925, E. Gustav Johnson brings the hymn to America and translates it to English, titling it “O Mighty God.”
In Russia, 1927, Ivan Prokhanoff hears the hymn while imprisoned for his faith. He translates the lyrics into Russian and his rendition is published in Moscow.
Fifth, the Carpathian Mountains in Eastern Europe, 1934: British missionary Stuart L. Hine bicycles from village to village, sharing his faith in Jesus and distributing Bibles to peasants who’ve never even seen one.
No doubt there were few paved roads through the Carpathian Mts. in the 1930s
Like Boberg, Hine also witnesses a fearsome storm and is reminded of a hymn he’s heard, the Russian form of “O Great God.” However, new lyrics begin to develop in his mind, and he writes an original stanza in English.
In Romania Hine marvels at the beauty and serenity of the woods, the warbles, trills, and whistling of the birds. He adds a second verse.
High up in the mountains he comes upon the village of Dmitri and Lyudmila who do own a Bible, left behind by a Russian soldier in 1915.
Just that year Lyudmila had learned to read, and as Hine arrives at their home, she’s just completed a read-aloud to other villagers. They’re discussing the wonder of God’s love, and Hine is prompted to write verse three.
By 1939, war threatens Europe again. Hine and his wife Mercy are forced to return home to England.
Nazi troops marching through Warsaw, Poland, September, 1939
Six years later they immerse themselves in ministering among the thousands of refugees. “Their stories of loss and hope inspire the fourth verse of the hymn, filled with the promise of eternal reunion” [1].
In 1949, Hine publishes his lyrics in a gospel magazine that’s sent to missionaries in fifteen countries across Europe and Asia.
India, 1954: British-American missionary J. Edwin Orr hears a choir singing Hine’s hymn. He experiences the power of the lyrics and tune.
Back in America, 1954, Orr begins sharing the song at conferences he leads on college campuses.
Children of actor/singer/song-writer Tim Spencer attend one of those colleges. Tim had been a well-known singing cowboy in the 1930s and ‘40s, appearing in numerous films.
(One cowboy trio, but no Tim!)
But in 1949 Tim had become a Christian. When his kids share with him this new, inspiring song, he also becomes an enthusiast.
In 1955 Spencer founds Manna Music Publishing and purchases the rights to Hine’s song. This same year, a friend of George Beverly Shea and Cliff Barrows introduces them to the newly-published hymn.
(Some of you will recognize those names. Shea was a featured soloist and Barrows was the music and program director for the Billy Graham Crusades.)
Toronto, Canada, 1955: Shea sings the hymn at one of the crusades and it rapidly gains popularity.
New York City, 1957: Shea and the crusade choir sing the song ninety-nine times during the sixteen weeks of meetings [2].
1959: It became the theme song for Billy Graham’s weekly radio program and continued to grow in popularity.
1978: The American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers named the song “The All-Time Outstanding Gospel Song” in America [3].
It has been translated into more than fifty languages and recorded by dozens of artists.
To this day the hymn “How Great Thou Art” remains a beloved favorite of many, as the lyrics lift our hearts in worship:
[1] https://worshipleader.com/worship-culture/how-great-thou-art-75-years-later/
[2] https://billygraham.org.uk/p/summer-soul-refresher-how-great-thou-art/
[3] https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/fiftieth-anniversary-of-how-great-thou-art-in-the-united-states
Other Sources:
https://www2.cbn.com/article/not-selected/story-behind-how-great-thou-art
https://www.ibelieve.com/slideshows/10-incredible-facts-about-how-great-thou-art.html
Photo credits: http://www.garystockbridge617.getarchive.net; http://www.commons.wikimedia.org; http://www.picryl.com; http://www.rawpixel.com; http://www.boudewijnhuijgens.getarchive.net; http://www.rawpixel.com.
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Oh my stars! That’s my favorite hymn! What a journey the Lord took each contributor on, each person that added to it the majesty and beauty of our Creator. The fact that so many people were and have been inspired by this song only reminds me that God is in the business of encouraging and uplifting His beloved children to know who He really is in all His glory and beauty. Thanks so much for this, Nancy. It’s truly inspirational.
I’m so glad the story behind this hymn inspired you, Dayle. It certainly inspired me during the research process. I know of no other hymn, influenced by so many people in its composition, and then again in its circulation that finally brought it to wide acclaim. Who but God could achieve such a feat?!
The chronology of “How Great Thou Art” is amazing-as is the hymn. Thank you for sharing this, Nancy. 🙂
You’re welcome, Nancy. I too was amazed!
Thanks so much, Nancy, for sharing the history behind this beloved and powerful Christian hymn. Wow! Over generations, wars, plagues, and language barriers, this one has both survived and thrived. God’s blessings will be for all eternity. Blessings to you, my friend!
“WOW” was certainly my reaction as I learned about “How Great Thou Art,” Martha! The breadth and scope of time, place, and people involved in the development of this hymn is truly mind-boggling, isn’t it? It seems rather fitting, though. The lyrics also cover the scope of time (from creation to Christ’s second coming), place (from forest glades to heaven), and people (from sinner to believer). / By the way, you may be interested to know that Hine wrote two more verses that ring just as true today:
Oh, when I see ungrateful man defiling
This bounteous earth, God’s gifts so good and great;
In foolish pride God’s holy name reviling
And yet, in grace, His wrath and judgment wait:
When burdens press, and seem beyond endurance,
Bowed down with grief, to Him I lift my face;
And then in love He brings me sweet assurance:
“My child, for thee sufficient is My grace.” (©1958 Stuart K. Hine Trust)
What amazing verses that continue to reveal God’s goodness and grace. Thanks for sharing once again!
Fascinating info here, Nancy!
So glad you found the post interesting, Vickie!
What an amazing story, truly orchestrated by God. Thank you for sharing this.
You’re welcome, Beth. I agree–the development of this hymn was surely orchestrated by God!
Nancy, thank you so much for sharing the history of this beloved song.
You’re welcome, Linda! I’m so glad God led me to the story, via one of those “This Day in Christian History calendars!”
I need to look into that–not something I have ever used.
There are several available online, Linda. Stuart Hine was listed on one (‘can’t remember which!), because his birthday was yesterday.
Nancy, I’m so glad you mentioned Stuart HIne. I looked him up and had a wonderful time listening to an old favorite. “How Great Thou Art” is not only a beautiful worship hymn, but it encapsulates the gospel message. Thank you!
This is an amazing story, Nancy! The song has touched generations of believers throughout the world. Thank you for sharing and I am sharing with my son!
I’m delighted you found the story worth sharing, Pam. The trajectory of this hymn, from its inception in 1885 to its rise in popularity in the 1950s (that continues to this day) has God’s fingerprints all over it!
Amazing story and such a beautiful hymn. Inspiring for generations for sure!
You’ve got me thinking, Jean . . . I wonder if my granddaughters know this hymn? If so, they may be the sixth generation to have sung it! I’ll have to ask.
Wow! What a captivating story. I love the stories behind the songs, especially the hymns. How often we overlook ‘how God speaks’ in the mundane, in nature and even in our most uncomfortable moments. O the ‘songs’ we miss!
Amen, my friend. This hymn highlights a number of blessings God has bestowed, to keep us singing from a joyful heart. “There is always good because there is always God . . . even when nothing else around us is good. His presence in the midst of our deepest pain is a good gift indeed” (Aliza Lotta, Take Heart, 162). So glad you found the story captivating, R-H!
One of my favourite hymns, what a fascinating story. Even after so many years, it touches hearts. Thank you for sharing this, Nancy.
You’re welcome, Manu. I’m delighted you found the story fascinating. I sure did, while completing the research!
what a wonderful journey through time and cultures of the Greatness of our Unchanging God
Couldn’t agree with you more, Gary. So glad you found the journey wonderful!
Amazing how God works in the hearts and minds of those who love Him! What a gift this song has been to the church, to us personally. Thanks for laying out its wonderful history for us.
No doubt, “How Great Thou Art” has elevated millions of hearts into the thrill of worship. It truly has been a gift, Dora!
My goodness, what an evolution! Then again, I shouldn’t be surprised a hymn as powerful as “How Great Thou Art” embodies decades of Christian witness. There are just a few hymns where I instantly hear my late mother’s voice singing alongside me in the pew. This is one of them. Thank you for an adventurous history lesson.
You’ve hit on one of the reasons I still love the old hymns. They connect us to the Christians who’ve gone before. / My mother was a soloist too, Dave, although this hymn is not one I can remember hearing her perform.
Thank you for sharing this story.
You’re welcome, Anna.
What an amazing story of this great hymn! Thank you for sharing this, Nancy.
You’re welcome, Patty. “Amazing” is a perfect adjective for this story–not just for the chain of events, but that the chain can be traced all the way back to Carl Boberg with no apparent missing links!
Glory be! Only the Author & Finisher could inspire & oversee a journey like this one, ever-moving from minds to hearts to throats and beyond . . .
Your comment brings to mind another hymn: To God Be the Glory–great things he has done! The development of “How Great Thou Art” is certainly an example. Thank you, Laurie!
I love the backstory of this song–and I love this song. Thank you!! Very encouraging to me!!
I’m so glad you found the backstory of this song to be encouraging to you, Katie. Praise God!
Nancy,
I love it. The poem/ song is a living. All God’s words are alive. Time just modified it.
In Christ, Gary
Gary Avants Forbear Productions * *garyavants66@gmail.com garyavants66@gmail.com
Indeed, “all God’s words are alive”–even those woven into such songs as this one. Praise God for his continued inspiration, century after century!
Wow! I had never known the span of time this great hymn had encompassed to arrive at its completion! Thank you so much for sharing its history. It has always been one of my top favorite hymns.
Couldn’t agree more, Cheri–this story definitely includes the WOW factor!