by Carl Boberg, 1886 [Key: F]

Verse 1

O Lord my God
When I in awesome wonder
Consider all the works
Thy hands have made
I see the stars,
I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy pow’r throughout
The universe displayed!

Chorus

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!

Verse 2

When thru 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,

Verse 3

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!

Verse 4

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!

Bible Verses:

Psalm 19:1, Romans 1:20, John 3:16, Isaiah 53:5, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 and Revelation 19:1-6.

Theology of “How Great Thou Art”:

1. The song praises God’s majestic power and creative sovereignty, evident in the vast universe, nature, and elements like stars and thunder, reflecting Psalm 19:1 and Romans 1:20.
2. It highlights God’s intimate involvement in creation, where personal observation of beauty in woods, birds, mountains, and breezes stirs awe and worship.
3. The core gospel truth centers on Christ’s sacrificial death—God not sparing His Son to bear humanity’s sin on the cross—echoing John 3:16 and Isaiah 53:5.
4. It anticipates Christ’s glorious return and the believer’s eternal homecoming, filled with joy and humble adoration, drawing from 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 and Revelation 19:1-6.
5. Overall, the hymn is pure doxology: the soul responds to God’s greatness in creation, redemption, and future glory with ceaseless praise.