We all have had the experience of knowing others that pass through our lives with which we have a special connection. In fact, we may have several important people that we surround ourselves with, even now. For me, I have been able to find that connection with many people in my life and quite a few of those people stand out as extraordinary. One such person is my grandmother.

What a woman! She had an uncanny ability to show love to everyone she met. It didn’t matter who you were, she loved you. She just radiated the light of Christ that made you want to be with her, all the time. She was quite a role model for me as I grew into my teenage years.

When she was diagnosed with cancer, I began spending even more time with her. On one occasion we were discussing music, particularly spiritual songs, and I asked her the name of her favorite hymn. It was then that I found out that her favorite hymn was How Great Thou Art.

Her prognosis was not good. In fact, she passed away several months later. But having the knowledge that this song was important to her, my uncle and I were able to put together a presentation of how important she was to each member of our family by performing this song at her funeral. (I was using sign language to “sing” the hymn, my uncle and a dear friend played the tune and sang along as well)

So, this post is dedicated to my grandmother, a woman who was an incredible inspiration to me and who I wish could see how wonderfully happy I am today.

How Great Thou Art

A song of great reverence and adoration to our God, the One who has created in us a love for others to share life with, the One who leaves us in awe daily as we acknowledge Him and His unfailing love for us. This hymn speaks of the gratitude that we have for that beautiful love.

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.

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 see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.

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!

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.

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 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 then 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!

Carl Gustav, from Sweden, was the author of this poem. As he was taking a walk, he was caught in a severe thunderstorm. As the storm began to calm, he could see in the distance a clear bay and heard a church bell ringing. Then the words began to form in his heart and a peace began to consume him. This “poem” was published in 1891. It was later translated into German and in 1927, a Russian version was published.

Stuart Hine, an English missionary to Ukraine, translated the poem and sang it at an evangelistic meeting in England during World War I. The first three verses were translated into English and Russian in 1949. He later added the fourth verse.

At the website, All About God, Author Lucy Adams, writes:

Of the hymn’s importance he said: “When we reach that heavenly home, we will fully understand the greatness of God, and will bow in humble adoration, saying to Him, O Lord my God, how great thou art.” May we all live in such a way that we will be ready when Jesus Christ appears to receive the saints. Our heavenly home awaits us, all of those who have received Christ in obedience.

Edwin Orr brought the hymn to America and in 1954, Cyrus Nelson of Gospel Light Publications copyrighted and published the hymn. Also, in 1954, the hymn was sung by George Beverly Shea at a London Billy Graham Crusade. It became quite popular as it started appearing in many songbooks.

This hymn is a perfect one to focus on the risen Christ. It is one that, as we read it’s history and bask in the truth of all that God has provided for us through Jesus Christ, should cause us to pause and peacefully think on the depth of His love for us.

Take the time to listen to this wonderful hymn and let it consume your heart with the love of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ.