This is the first in what may become a series recalling the hymns of my youth. Many of these I recall with fondness, some of them I would like my kids to know, and others… well, not every hymn is a great hymn. I hope to share a note or two on each one as we go, and invite anyone else to offer their reflections or thoughts on each hymn in the series. We begin with the second-highest rated hymn of all time, popularized by George Beverly Shea.

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 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!

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:

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:

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!

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!

The story and history of this hymn also brings a sense of wonder at how inspired art like this can transcend language and travel the globe. For me, in the depths of my mind I can hear George Beverly Shea singing it… but I can recall a number of times singing it from the hymnal, standing among the rows of pews as a child. Perhaps in all those years, through all the singing and hearing of this hymn, it really did lodge itself in my soul — as evidenced by the fact that still today, something in my soul wants to sing this hymn when I hear it. How great Thou art!