Susan Boyle - How Great Thou Art

How Great Thou Art" is a Christian hymn based on a Swedish poem written by Carl Gustav Boberg (1859-1940) in Sweden in 1885. The melody is a Swedish folk song. It was translated into English by British missionary Stuart K. Hine, who also added two original verses of his own composition.

The inspiration for the poem came when Boberg was walking home from church near Kronobäck, Sweden, and listening to church bells. A sudden awe-inspiring storm gripped Bobergs attention, and then just as suddenly as it had made its violent entrance, it subsided to a peaceful calm which Boberg observed over Mönsterås Bay. According to J. Irving Erickson: 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. The poem is a paraphrase of Psalm 8.

Stuart K. Hines was a British Methodist minister who was born in London, England in 1899. In 1931, he heard the Russian transltion of the song and began using it in his evangelistic services. Eventually, he began re-writing the song and added his own verses. The most widely known verses are these:

O Lord my God!
When I in awesome wonder
Consider all the works
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!

Susan Boyle's recording of the song utilizes only the chorus of the song. I have prefaced it with a narration of Psalm 8, read by Max McLean, who is widely known for his recordings of the Bible.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Susan
• Boyle
• How
• Great
• Thou
• Art

[Dirt16Rider]

CAN YOU TELL ME WHO THE MAN IS SAYING THE PRAYER WORDS AT THE BEGGINNING I BELIEVE HE ALSO DOES TEACH ME TO LOVE

[NedNickerson2010]

@Dirt16Rider The man reading Psalm 8 is Max McLean, who is widely known for his recordings of the Bible. I mention him at the end of my notes to the video. He is also listed at the end of the video in the credits.

[RampGuy1]

Why didn't you include the verses, too? I would've loved to hear Susan sing the entire hymn.

[NedNickerson2010]

@RampGuy1 This is all the song that Susan sang, just the chorus. That's why I prefaced the video with the reading of Psalm 8, to put it into context. A lot of people were disappointed that she didn't sing the entire song. The first verse would have been nice... but this is all she sang...

[babysister32656]

That was beautiful, she is an inspiration to me. It didn't matter what she looked like or how old she is or even what others thought of her. She had a dream and she went for it and finally someone listened and saw the talent and beauty she has. God bless you Susan Boyle and thank you.

[Avecica1]

God is the painter of the universe. Susan is a star!

[Whiskitify]

Loved it!

[quillian100]

Still chuffed for you Susan.Blackburn boy 

[artf47]

How Great thou Art ....absolutely beautiful and touching....my favorite hymn

[ORYGUNLADY]

AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! beautiful

[jobdav]

Inspiring Words sung in a Melodious voice.

[sabider1]

This is 1 of my most favorite hymns. Beautiful

[buffspringfield]

@Dirt16Rider I don't know his name but he was quoting Psalm 8 my favorite psalm

[buffspringfield]

I am so happy that your voice was heard by the world, they are not laughing now right Susan, all glory to JESUS

[MegaFightfortruth]

Thank you for posting this beautiful video. Truly inspirational. One of my favourite Psalms, well read by Max McLean and featuring one of my favourite singers. What more could I ask?

[tickledpiink33]

She truly has the voice of an angel.