"How Great Thou Art"

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.



                 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,
          Chorus
                 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 see 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 then proclaim:"My God, how great Thou art!"


     In 1886, not knowing how many people would be touched in his days or the years to come, Reverend Carl Boberg of Monsteras, lived on the South East coast of Sweden, 25 years old, with his own language, wrote and published the first lyrics of a song, “How Great Thou Art”. The depth of the lyrics assimilated naturally occurring phenomena, the perpetual saving passion of the Creator and the new life beyond death with God. Has anyone been taken away by the amazing nature of roaring ocean storms? The sound it makes while colliding with the rocky shores? How up and down the wave moves? If a surfer is asked about it, he would reply in an articulated fashion about the highs and lows of the ocean waves do for and to him. Has anyone been walking through a thick forest where so diverse flock of birds sings in harmony however, with distinct tones? How breathe taking would that be for anyone who is actually nature lover? The stars and their galaxies displayed in the Universe have a majestic demonstration, the manifestation of the Creator's knowledge and intelligent workmanship. Intercession, confession, praise, worship, Celebration songs were some of the types practiced trough out history. Among these, “How Great Thou Art” is a worship type in which admiration and adoration is given for a creator; many believe his existence in our day to day life.

       Many Christians claimed this song to be one of the most played and adored song among many more ever written in the history of the Christian gospel music as the hymn was translated from Swedish language to Russian then to English. After forty years of the original script written and published by Boberg; Stuart Hine, an English missionary, who was living in Ukraine, heard this very meaningful song performed in native Russian language. As he advanced to the former Czechoslovakia, people acclimated to it ahead of him. Hine, whom felt the tranquil, then translate this awesome song in to English language and moreover added a few words on to it. Not only in Russia, but also in many communist countries like mine, people were touched by the graphic and well illuminated elaboration exhibited by the hymn. It was irresistible for so many communities and went on to be translated into many different native languages. Thus helped more Christians connected in spirit while singing it though in different language at different locations.

Enthusiastically, such flawless songs gave Christians with culminated performance pulled people touched or connected with the higher power in their inner being. Majority of Christians sincerely believe lyrics should adhere to certain tones and rhythms in order for listeners would give them ears. Beverly Shea, 102, was considered to be one of the most aspiring and astounding gospel singers in the Evangelical sect history of the United States of America. He was a member of the Billy Graham Evangelical Association where he performed during mass preaching ceremonies for more than 60 years. Shea gave the lyrics of Boberg a meaningful tone and touch and reached peoples' hearts with the help of 1,800 mass back vocalists as shown in the clip. It helped the audience communion with an enlighten imagination of nature and God's creativity in making this world habitable, however to the contrast its perishable stunned people across nations till today. The wonders of creation are incomparable to the mystery of the creator himself.