What Is the History of the Hymn How Great Thou Art?

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The beloved hymn How Great Thou Art is a timeless classic that has been sung in churches and other places of worship for generations. It is based on a Swedish poem written by Carl Boberg in 1885, and was translated into English by English missionary Stuart K. Hine in the late 1920s.

The poem was inspired by a stormy day on the south-eastern coast of Sweden, when Boberg witnessed the beauty and power of nature in the midst of a powerful thunderstorm. He was moved to write about the greatness and majesty of God, which he expressed in his poem O Store Gud (O Great God).

The English translation of the poem, titled How Great Thou Art, was first published in 1949 as part of Hine’s book Songs of Praise. The song became popular among church congregations and soon spread across Europe and North America.

In 1955, it was recorded as a single by Bill Carle, an American country music singer. This recording gained popularity among Christians all over the world, becoming an anthem for worship services. The song has since been recorded by many artists—including Elvis Presley—and covered in numerous languages.

In 2006, it was voted as Britain’s favourite hymn in a nationwide survey conducted by BBC Radio 2. This survey revealed that How Great Thou Art is highly favored among Christians across different denominations and cultures, uniting them together with its powerful message about faith and humility before God.

Today, How Great Thou Art continues to be sung in churches around the world as an expression of awe and gratitude for our Creator’s greatness. Its timeless lyrics remind us that no matter our circumstances or struggles we face each day, we can always turn to God for strength and comfort knowing that He is greater than anything we can ever imagine or comprehend.

In conclusion What Is the History of the Hymn How Great Thou Art? can be traced back to an 1885 Swedish poem written by Carl Boberg which was translated into English by Stuart K. Hine in 1929 before being popularized through recordings made by Bill Carle and Elvis Presley respectively. The song has since become one of the most beloved hymns around the world due to its timeless message about faith and humility before God despite our struggles or circumstances we face each day.