Who wrote the original How Great Thou Art? (History of Lyrics)

Who originally wrote How Great Thou Art?

How great the art is a very powerful hymn, and it's very frequently used in adoration of God, especially during times of grief, when thoughts of God and His goodness seem hard to come by. How Great Thou Art is a staple during funerals and worship services.

And it's a very powerful, beloved hymn when it comes to celebrating the majesty of God.

But who wrote How Great Thou Art Originally?

The original writer of How Great Thou Art is a man by the name of Carl Boberg. 

He was a member of the Swedish parliament from the years 1912 to 1931. It's from over there in Sweden that the hymn proliferated, being sung in different countries and finally making its way over to the continental United States. 

Boberg was the author of the original text, even though we have modern additions to it from a British minister. 

The Hymn's Inspirational Story

The hymn “How Great Thou Art” is one of the most beloved and widely sung Christian hymns in the world, and its origins trace back to a humble Swedish writer named Carl Gustav Boberg. Boberg was born on November 16, 1859, in Mönsterås, Sweden, and he lived during a period of great religious revival in Scandinavia. His early life was marked by the rural simplicity and close-knit community of southern Sweden, which deeply influenced his spiritual outlook and his eventual writings.

Boberg was not initially a professional hymn writer. He was a poet, preacher, and editor, and his interests spanned literature, religion, and journalism. He worked for several local newspapers and magazines, eventually becoming an editor, which gave him a platform to share his religious reflections. Boberg’s writing often reflected his deep awe of nature and the presence of God in everyday life, a theme that would become central to “How Great Thou Art.”

The hymn itself originated in 1885. The story goes that Boberg was walking home from church one summer day in southern Sweden when a sudden thunderstorm began. After the storm, the air was filled with the scent of flowers, the sound of birds, and a renewed sense of life. Boberg, struck by the beauty and majesty of the natural world, felt inspired to write a poem capturing his overwhelming sense of God’s greatness. This poem, initially titled “O Store Gud” (Swedish for “O Great God”), was first published in a Swedish magazine in 1886.

The poem eventually became a hymn when it was set to music. The melody that most people associate with “How Great Thou Art” today was adapted from a Swedish folk tune, which Boberg himself favored. The combination of evocative lyrics and memorable melody made it a natural candidate for hymnody. “O Store Gud” gained popularity in Sweden before eventually being translated into other languages, spreading its influence across the globe.

The hymn reached English-speaking audiences largely through the efforts of Stuart K. Hine, a British missionary in Eastern Europe. In the 1920s and 1930s, Hine encountered the hymn while serving in Ukraine and was so moved by its lyrics that he created his own English version, which preserved the essence of Boberg’s awe and devotion while making it accessible to English congregations. Hine’s translation, slightly adapted from Boberg’s original poem, was published in 1949 and quickly became popular in churches throughout the United Kingdom and the United States.

Boberg himself lived a long and productive life, passing away on May 7, 1940. Although he did not see the full global impact of his hymn in English translation, his work left an enduring legacy in Christian music. “How Great Thou Art” has since been recorded by countless artists, including Elvis Presley, Carrie Underwood, and Chris Rice, and it continues to be a staple in worship services around the world. Its universal appeal lies in the combination of Boberg’s poetic sensibility, his deep faith, and his vivid appreciation of God’s creation.

In essence, Carl Gustav Boberg’s life and work exemplify how ordinary moments—like witnessing a storm and the renewal of nature afterward—can inspire extraordinary expressions of faith. His hymn remains a testament to the enduring power of simple yet profound observation, coupled with heartfelt devotion. Boberg’s legacy is a reminder that even a single poem, born from personal reflection, can resonate across generations and continents, bringing countless people into a deeper awareness of God’s greatness.

Circulated Story

Boberg said that he was on the way in an after, on an afternoon, to some some location, and there was a great Storm. 

And this thunderstorm was very violent. 

There was lightning and strong winds. The meadows and the fields of green that surrounded him were being greatly affected by it, but he said that almost out of the blue, the sun came out, and the storm was over.

This gave him inspiration to write the rest of the words for How great thou Art.

Isn't it interesting how the experiences that we have in life can show us things about God that we know to be true from the scriptures.

Amazing Grace Lyrics and Music

Who wrote the original How Great Thou Art?

Carl Boberg penned this hymn to symbolize the greatness and the majesty of God, 

• Even in the midst of the storm, there was hope.
• Even in the midst of the storm, there was the expectation of a brighter future and a brighter tomorrow.

And this is because of who God is, Great and Majestic, full of hope, love, peace, joy and goodness.

Listen and Watch The Founder, Quinson Thomas, play It is well with my soul - lyrics included.