How Great Thou Art

Have you ever been amazed by creation?

A Swedish man named Carl Boberg has.

In 1885, Boberg penned a poem titled “O Store Gud” after watching a thunderstorm roll through his location.

In this poem, he discusses the loveliness that he witnessed as this event in nature took place. The St. Augustine Record reported that Boberg said of this poem:

“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.’”

Not too long after the poem was written and shared, it was then turned into a Swedish folk song. Following this, the song was spread around the country and beyond.

Today, at least here in Mississippi, we know of Boberg’s poem words as a good old-fashioned hymn – a song called “How Great Thou Art.”

Recently, on a trip with my family to the Great Smoky Mountains, my husband caught me humming the words to this famed song.

As we made our way to our destination and looked at creation around us, I couldn’t help but recall the wonders of God’s creation (or be amazed that the Lord lets us look at such beauty).

The streaming rivers, native wildlife, beautiful mountains, and even the smoky mist that comes from the “volatile organic compounds” of this park’s trees – all pointed to something bigger than anything this world has to offer – the majesty and the handiwork of our God.

In English, Boberg’s poem-turned-song says:

Oh 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.

But what I love most about this song is that it doesn’t just fit for roaring rivers or majestic mountains; it can also be sung during spring thunderstorms, summer wind, fall foliage, or winter snow. Because in every season, the Lord’s masterpieces are clearly shown for all of us to look at and appreciate.

The question is, do we?

Often, in the hustle and bustle of my everyday life, I forget to slow down and see the Lord in his creation. Instead, I find myself waiting until the next picturesque moment to sit out on our porch and soak it all in.

When in reality, every day we are allowed to see the Lord’s splendor in physical form.

And better yet, it points to the beauty of what is to come.

While Boberg’s first verse and chorus are the easiest to repeat, it is the truth of his final verse that is filled with even more power (in my opinion).

The final verse to this majestic song goes as follows:

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 there proclaim, My God, how great Thou art.

Through creation, we have been given such a beautiful gift and reminder of who is on the throne. Not only that, but we can also so easily see how much he loves us by the splendor of his creation. After all, if that’s how he clothes the grass and trees – how much more does he care for you and me (Matthew 6:28-30)?

For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse (Romans 1:20).

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