Inspired by Swedish thunderstorms Published in 1885, “How Great Thou Art” has stood the test of time as a staple of Christian worship around the world. Although this classic hymn originated in Europe, it was officially published in America in 1949 and became popular at the time. Televised on June 16, 1957. Baritone George Beverly Shea performed the song in collaboration with Billy Graham's New York Crusade, Estimated 19,000 participants Along with the song.
in Exclusive interview with Christianity TodayShay shared that listeners requested the song to be sung nearly 100 times during the Crusades, and it served as the introduction to the television broadcast, spreading the now-infamous lyrics to millions of people.
O Lord, my God, when I felt a great wonder,
Think of all the worlds your hands have created.
I can see the stars and hear the thunder,
Your power has manifested itself throughout the universe.
And my soul sings to you God my Savior.
How wonderful you are, how wonderful you are!
And my soul sings to you God my Savior.
How wonderful you are, how wonderful you are!
Those powerful words captured the hearts of the Protestant Church, and even today, 75 years after its founding, “You are great” continues to captivate the nation, regardless of age, gender, or denomination.
To celebrate its birthday, Integrity Music invited leading Grammy Award-winning Christian songwriters Matt Redman and Mitch Wong, along with Chris Tomlin, Matt Maher, Cali Jobe, They brought in notable Christian performers such as Cody to create a collaborative tribute to the song. Kearns and Naomi Lane.
What did this team face together? Redman said. Christianity Today It was a “daunting” task to make slight changes to the song and compose a new fifth verse that matched the richness of the previous verse introduced by Stuart Hine. Heine was a British missionary who heard the hymn in Russian, translated it into English, and shared it with Ukrainian refugees during World War II.
“How Great Thou Art” has been influenced by centuries of culture, poetry, and personal testimony, so we have made small edits to these timeless hymns and created poems that are certainly unique. Building one seems like a beautiful and intimidating project. Still, Redman and his team composed a commanding fifth verse that not only matches the rise and fall of the traditional song, but also evokes the scene that inspired Hynes' fourth verse.
When Christ comes with cheers
And take me home, what joy will fill my heart!
Then I bow my head in humble respect.
And there, God, I declare how great You are.
Redman further shared: Christianity Today“I wanted to include the word 'war' in there. It's a harsh word. But we have to sing about both the everyday and the eternal.” 75 years later, Ukraine is once again in a harsh state. In the face of war, Redman, Wong, and their musicians create a fifth poem that offers hope to the oppressed, healing to the hurt, and a forever home to the lost. Ta.
until that day
When heaven welcomes us,
And as we walk through this broken world of war,
Your kingdom come,
Deliver us from evil,
And we declare to our God how great you are!
this The fifth verse was officially recorded It took place at Gold Pacific Studios in Los Angeles and the famous RCA Studio B in Nashville. The latter studio was Elvis' home for his Presley recordings, and is exactly where he recorded his Grammy Award-winning version of “How Great Thou Art.” Presley named “How Great Thou Art” as the title track for his 1967 gospel project. Won not one, but two Grammy Awards Hymn covers, especially awards for Best Inspirational Performance and Best Sacred Performance.
Billboard spoke with RedmanThere, he expressed his hope that as believers continue to put their testimonies into song, he will witness new poetry and that the song will continue to grow. “Redman said that additional versions of “How Great Thou Art'' (including new poems), “How Great Thou Art'': “The Stuart Hine Trust has published various versions of the new arrangement as a way to fund the wider church.'' I think they welcomed it and commissioned an orchestral and choral version.”
The song will be officially released today, January 26, 2024, and the proceeds will be donated to humanitarian relief efforts in Ukraine. Whether you listen on YouTube or share it with friends through social media, consider how paying homage to this revised classic hymn can help people around the world.
Image credit: ©GettyImages/Paha_L
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