How Great Thou Art – Hymn Lyrics

“How Great Thou Art” as commonly sung in English, based on Stuart K. Hine’s translation and adaptation:

1. 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. Refrain:
   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!
2. When through the woods and forest glades I wander,
   And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;
   When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur,
   And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze. Refrain
3. 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. Refrain
4. 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!” Refrain

How-Great-Thou-Art-Origin-and-Translation/

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Additional Verses (Less Commonly Sung):

Some versions of the hymn include additional verses, such as:

5. O when I see ungrateful man defiling
   This bounteous earth, God’s gifts so good and pure;
   When birds and flowers and beasts are slowly dying,
   Because of sin, Thy curse on all they bear. Refrain
6. But though I weep that men have been unheeding,
   And heedless of Thy love so freely shown,
   Yet still my heart with grateful praise is beating,
   For I can call Thy blessedness my own. Refrain

This hymn beautifully combines themes of creation, redemption, and eternal hope, making it a timeless expression of worship and praise. Its powerful lyrics and melody continue to resonate with believers around the world.