How Great Thou Art

Today’s inspiration for Hot Off the Pres! is from me (i.e., Shelley). It’s one of my most favorite hymns, although for several years I could not listen to it without weeping. You see, I lost my father when I was fourteen – he was two days past his forty-first birthday. At my father’s funeral, his best friend sang “How Great Thou Art.”

Now I can listen to it, but the hymn still brings tears to my eyes. I hope you enjoy this version as much as I do. To hear it, please click HERE .

Sam Robson is a musical prodigy and multi-instrumentalist who is the son of classically trained violinist parents – his father plays in the London Symphony Orchestra. As well as being an accomplished guitarist and drummer, Sam has always been fascinated with the voice as an instrument in its own right, and a cappella has been a natural vehicle for him in that regard. In this recording, you can hear what he has been able to do with “one voice.”

"How Great Thou Art" is a Christian hymn based on a Swedish traditional melody and a poem written by Carl Boberg (1859–1940) in Mönsterås, Sweden, in 1885. It was translated into German and then into Russian. It was translated into English from the Russian by English missionary Stuart K. Hine, who also added two original verses of his own. It was popularized by George Beverly Shea and Cliff Barrows during the Billy Graham crusades. It was voted the United Kingdom's favorite hymn by BBC's Songs of Praise. "How Great Thou Art" was ranked second (after "Amazing Grace") on a list of the favorite hymns of all time in a survey by Christianity Today magazine in 2001. (Wikipedia)

How Great Thou Art

Words and music by Stuart K. Hine

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 Savior God, to Thee:

How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee;

How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

And when I think that God, His Son not sparing,

Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;

That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,

He bled and died to take away my sin.

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!

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee:

How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee;

How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

How great Thou art!

Prayer for Today:

Lord Jesus, today is Your day,

and I want Your will to be done.

So, whatever happens,

hold my hand

and let's face it together.

Amen

These long secluded days can make life stressful at times.

This message is to help you slow things down and reflect on

what is truly important. Join us in discovering the power of

prayer, so that we may all reap the benefits of a spiritual life.

If you have something inspirational to share with all of us,

please send it to me at: office@firstpresracine.org .

You might just find it in your email!