how great thou art

how great thou art

Exploring the Impact and Significance of the Hymn ‘How Great Thou Art’

1. Introduction to the Hymn ‘How Great Thou Art’

The inclusion of this hymn was the first time that contemporary praise songs were used in a traditional worship setting at Metropolitan Baptist Church in Houston, Texas. The traditional format of the service was maintained, with the addition of a contemporary-style musical performance of “How Great Thou Art”. Although the song was performed in a contemporary style, the context of performance affiliating with the text was not compromised. Through personal reflection and Bible study, each participant in the service was able to connect with the text and grow deeper spiritually. The traditional elements in the service were not forced out, but were allowed to intrinsically grow. In other words, there was a balance between tradition and relevance. Both the congregation and the musicians grew spiritually and ministerially due to this balance and because of the spiritual experience that followed. It can be said that there was enough spiritual nutrition in the parts of this worship service to maintain the spiritual balance of the Christian.

Carl Boberg wrote a poem titled “How Great Thou Art” while in Mönsterås, Sweden. A few years later, while attending a meeting in the province of Kronobäck, Boberg was surprised and began to cry when he heard the congregation singing his poem to the Swedish tune. This hymn has continued to grow in popularity as time has passed. A version of the song was performed by George Beverly Shea at the Billy Graham New York crusade. After this performance, “How Great Thou Art” became a spiritual staple for Graham’s evangelistic crusades.

In an effort to return reverence and respect in worship, traditional hymnody has become favorable among believers once again. As the modern hymns are less explicitly theological, it can be construed that the traditional hymns contain a level of spiritual maturity, and therefore, the older hymns are greatly respected.

2. Historical Context and Origins of the Hymn

The configurations of power, gender, and place within music are shared historical facets in the wider region centered on the South African subcontinent, connecting closely with the experiences of the Swedish missionary in American and Russian-held Ukraine, Dr. Carl Gustaf Boberg (1859–1940), who gave the world the ‘How Great Thou Art’ hymn and prayers. For while some adherents love the robust fervor in which the song is sung, others often evoke high nostalgia and mourn sad spells and a particular sense of doom that seems hopelessly stuck in the cycle of life, as they revisit the song and address ‘O great Thunderer, were you really there?’ The nostalgic choral worship recalls periods of excitement and heightened expectations from mass worship, usually accentuated by dynamic choirs and marching bands, some 70 to 90 years earlier, using grand historic cathedrals such as the Basilica of St. Mary’s in Invercargill, New Zealand and/or the vocally and acoustically stunning grand Anglican Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Kimberley, South Africa.

From its Scandinavian origin in the early part of the 20th century to its contemporary relevancy in today’s popular church culture, many of us are very familiar with and treasure the hymn known as ‘How Great Thou Art.’ It has been performed and enjoyed – or endured, being recitations of the hymn with endless mindless repetitions, bold and robust performances, as well as delicate and tender interpretations. ‘How Great Thou Art’ translated and adapted, has been recorded in German, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, French, Russian, Maori, and sadly removed from Soviet hymnals by communist authorities in the 1950s on ‘official state atheism’ grounds. In South Africa, the song is most known through the Afrikaans, Xhosa, and Zulu translations, and can be found in many hymnals and secondary school life orientation textbooks on religious matters. Today, as with within living memory, this song remains popular worldwide.

3. Musical and Lyrical Analysis of ‘How Great Thou Art’

The following Stanza 4 captures the coming of Christ and His ultimate sacrifice, immediately moving to His resurrection, and His return. In-depth emotional music provides the impact of man’s reconciliation to God. Use of the artist’s distinctive folk tune and dramatic treatment give the characteristics of the Holy Spirit presentation of the impact of being empowered by the Holy Spirit. Stanza 5 concludes with the triumphant celebration of believers’ reconciliation, enthronement of God, the glorious second coming of the Christ, and finally, with humble love and awe, humanity offers a benediction. Song phrases are repeated to musically reinforce the mental images presented by the words. The inherent beauty crafted by the way the song is assembled is a significant part of the impact of the total presentation upon listeners. With the biblical terminology and phrases used, the song Scriptures are real and informative. Fond memories and personal gratification may be enhanced by memorial associations. Can this complex and massive total impact be convincing proof of efficacy and the practical significance of how the hymn ‘How Great Thou Art’ may fill the spiritual needs of many?

The word construction of songs is equally important as the melody to bring out the full significance to listeners. One distinctive characteristic of the hymn ‘How Great Thou Art’ is its lyrical organization, utilizing terms and phrases to paint powerful vivid images in the mind of the audience. Stanza 1 presents the listener a very vivid and beautiful picture of creation-inspiring awe and praise in the omniscience of God. Stanza 2 crescendos by linking God to Love characteristics, representing an awesome supernatural deity concerned with seemingly insignificant human beings. The music lends greater depth with its crescendo and reverence to the presentation. Stanza 3 adds to the aggressive energetic statements about God’s character revealed throughout scripture.

4. Influence and Legacy of the Hymn in Christian Worship

The mission statement of the Lutheran Hour Ministries deals with proclaiming the clear Gospel of Jesus Christ to tens of millions of people throughout North America and many others around the world. With a live church, the popular program uses several elements in their “service.” “How Great Thou Art” has its place in the broadcast worship of the forty-five-minute service, closing each service. The support for hymn use in the service ranges from the way it moves and addresses each listener, regardless of age, race, or nationality, to the way it provides a strong connection to the Gospel message being delivered in the worship service. This vital congruence of message with presentation is characteristic of another feature of Christian hymns’ continued importance and use.

At present, “How Great Thou Art” remains a favorite among all Christians, having been voted in surveys in both England and America as among their most well-beloved hymns. Additionally, with over 2,000 different recordings of the hymn, it is estimated that it has been translated into 150 to 200 languages. It is also believed to be among the most recorded songs of any kind globally. The impact of “How Great Thou Art” has been profound, but it continues to evolve and distinguish itself because the message is based on the eternal truth of God’s Word.