Hymns I Love: How Great Thou Art

Hello Blessed People

Hope your week has been blessed so far?

As for me I am tracing my steps back to my master. Enjoying every moment I spend with Him. Embracing Him in a new way and experiencing His presence like never before. These days I just want to burst out singing praises and worshipping Him. I thank God for His love.

Well in the spirit of my last post which you can read here I was taken back to this Hymn I love so much. It's a wonder how I don't know the full lyrics by heart considering the fact that I sing/listen to this song (well not the whole hymn) almost everyday. And thanks to CeCe Winans' rendition my love for it has grown deeper.

Why do I love this Hymn?

It is deep. Very deep. The Hymn writer tried to put in words the awesomeness and greatness of God by showcasing his creation( verse 1 and 2), the depth of his love for us by sending his son Jesus (verse 3) and also tried to create a picture of how majestic the second coming would be (verse 4). The hymn reminds me that God's awesomeness supersedes our wildest imaginations. Imagine what this God can do for you? Yes EVERYTHING!!!!!

Brief History:

The Hymn is actually based on a Swedish poem written by Carl Gustav Boberg.

'Carl Boberg and some friends were returning home to Mönsterås from Kronobäck, where they had participated in an afternoon service. Nature was at its peak that radiant afternoon. Presently a thundercloud appeared on the horizon, and soon sharp lightning flashed across the sky. Strong winds swept over the meadows and billowing fields of grain. The thunder pealed in loud claps. Then rain came in cool fresh showers. In a little while the storm was over, and a rainbow appeared.

When Boberg arrived home, he opened the window and saw the bay of Mönsterås like a mirror before him… From the woods on the other side of the bay, he heard the song of a thrush…the church bells were tolling in the quiet evening. It was this series of sights, sounds, and experiences that inspired the writing of the song'

It is believed that inspiration was also drawn from Psalm 8.

Here are the wonderful Lyrics:

O Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder
Consider all the works thy hand hath made,
I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed;

Refrain:
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,
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 hear the brook, and feel he gentle breeze;

Refrain

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:

Refrain

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!

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,
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

That's it people. If you are a lover of hymns like I am please share your favourite hymn(s) with me as well.

Enjoy the rest of the week and don't forget How Great our God is...

VirtuousKelly
xxx

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/How_Great_Thou_Art_(hymn)
http://www.pietisten.org/winter0203/howgreat.html