The Story behind the song: 'How Great Thou Art'

Southern Sweden was the place where "How Great Thou Art" had its beginning in 1886.

Carl Boberg said of the writing of his song, "It was in 1885, and in the time of year when everything seemed to be in its richest coloring; the birds were singing in trees and wherever they could find a perch. On a particular afternoon, some friends and I had been to Kronobäck where we had participated in an afternoon service. As we were returning a thunderstorm began to appear on the horizon. We hurried to shelter. There were loud claps of thunder, and the lighting flashed across the sky. Strong winds swept over the meadows and billowing fields of grain. However, the storm was soon over and the clear sky appeared with a beautiful rainbow."

"After reaching my home, I opened my window toward the sea. The church bells were playing the tune of a hymn. That same evening I wrote a poem which I titled, 'O Store Gud,' (How Great Thou Art)."

And so we now have "How Great Thou Art."

"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!"

Notice: Information paraphrased from The St. Augustine Record.