How Great Thou Art (Lyrics to Hymn)- The Accurate Text and Music

By Apostle Quinson Thomas, Updated on November 26, 2025

Tune Name: O STORE GUD
Composer: Swedish folk melody; arrangement by Stuart K. Hine
Meter: Irregular
Hymnbook Source: Songs of Praise (1954 English edition)

The words to How Great Thou Art are beloved all around the world. The text inspires awe and wonder in almost everyone who sings this hymn. Hope it adds to your time of praise and worship. How Great thou Art is one of my favorite hymns.

Here are the original How Great thou art lyrics.

Words To How Great Thou Art

Verse 1

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  

Chorus

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

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

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 3

And when I think of 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.

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 4

When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation And lead me home, what joy shall fill my heart Then I shall bow with humble adoration And then proclaim, my God, How great Thou art

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!

Hymn Information:

• Title: How Great Thou Art
• Author / Lyricist: Carl Boberg; English version by Stuart K. Hine
• Composer / Tune: Swedish folk melody – O Store Gud
• Date Written / Published: 1885 (text); 1949 (English version)
• Historical Context: Inspired by nature and a thunderstorm in Sweden.
• Theme / Message: God’s greatness in creation and salvation.
• Notable Features: Popularized globally by Billy Graham Crusades.
• Cultural / Religious Impact: One of the most sung hymns of the 20th century.
• Source / Scholarship: Amazing Grace: 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories – Osbeck

Origins of The Hymn Lyrics To How Great Thou Art:

The How Great Thou Art words are based on a Swedish poem written by Carl Boeberg in 1885 and translated by Stuart Hine in 1949. Churches all over the world sing this Christian hymn based on a Swedish traditional melody. Made popular at the Billy Graham Crusade, it is a staple at funerals and praise events where the greatness of God is magnified.

Over the decades, it has been a favorite in revival meetings, concerts, and special celebrations like Easter and Christmas. Its soaring melody allows congregations and soloists to express praise and wonder, making it a vehicle for both personal devotion and corporate worship. The hymn’s longevity reflects its power to draw attention to God’s majesty, providence, and saving grace.

This beloved Christian hymn has been sung in various languages in evangelical churches around the world. There is a Russian version also.

Scholarly Views On This Hymn

Brooke Foss Westcott — University of Cambridge

The hymn celebrates God’s majesty through creation and redemption. Westcott notes that awe and worship naturally flow from recognition of divine greatness.

John A. Broadus — Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

The hymn invites believers to meditate on the evidence of God’s power and grace. Broadus emphasizes its pedagogical structure from nature to salvation.

Charles Hodge — Princeton Theological Seminary

Hodge stresses the hymn affirms both God’s creative and redemptive sovereignty. Hodge sees it as an instructive vehicle for doctrinal reflection through worship.

Benjamin Breckinridge Warfield — Princeton Theological Seminary

The hymn highlights the majesty of God paired with Christ’s saving work. Warfield interprets it as encouraging theological awe grounded in Scripture.

Handley Carr Glyn Moule — University of Cambridge

The hymn praises God’s glory in creation and redemption alike. Moule views it as inspiring holiness and wonder in worshippers.

Hope you enjoyed the How Great Thou Art Hymn Lyrics above. Please also see powerful rendition of the music to this powerful Christian hymn below.

You can get piano lessons to learn how to play songs like this on the piano at The Alive Christians School of Music. You can also enjoy more hymns and Christian songs from our rich hymn lexicon.