Episode 5 History of Hymns HOW GREAT THOU ART

NARRATOR: The views and opinions expressed here are those of the guests and are not the official position of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. [BEGIN MUSIC] Lex de Azevedo’s London Philharmonic Recording Series includes this instrumental version of “How Great Thou Art” on the album “A Mighty Fortress.” (Music: Lex de Azevedo, “How Great Thou Art” [instrumental]) The original Swedish text for “How Great Thou Art” was a poem entitled “O Store Gud” written in 1886 by a Swedish preacher, Carl Boberg, editor of the periodical Sanningsvittnet. Boberg’s inspiration for “How Great Thou Art” came from a visit to a beautiful country estate on the southeast coast of Sweden. He got caught in a midday thunderstorm with awe-inspiring moments of flashing violence, followed by a clear brilliant sun. Soon afterwards he heard the calm, sweet songs of the birds in nearby trees. The experience prompted Boberg to fall to his knees in humble adoration of his mighty God. A nine-stanza poem beginning with the Swedish words "O Store Gud, nar jag den varld beskader" captured his exultation of how great God is. In 1927, I. S. Prokhanoff came upon the German version and translated it into the Russian language. (Music: Lex de Azevedo, “How Great Thou Art” [instrumental]) Stuart K. Hine was born in 1899 in England. His parents dedicated him to God during a time when opposition was strong against those who proclaimed Christ. As a young boy, Stuart knew he would be devoting his life to full-time ministry. His background in the Salvation Army gave him a zeal for the Lord and for Christian music. After serving in the Armed Forces, Mr. Hine was called to the ministry and to the mission field. For many years, he served in Poland, Russia and Czechoslovakia. (Music: Michael Dowdle, “How Great Thou Art” [instrumental])

1 Michael Dowdle’s “Beloved Hymns of Christ” album contains this instrumental arrangement of “How Great Thou Art.” (Music: Michael Dowdle, “How Great Thou Art” [instrumental]) In 1933, Stuart K. Hine and his wife were ministering to the people of Ukraine. There they heard the hymn and learned the Russian translation of “O Store Gud.” The thought of writing original English lyrics to “How Great Thou Art” did not occur immediately to the Hines. That inspiration waited until they found themselves in the beautiful Carpathian Mountains of Russia. (Music: Michael Dowdle, “How Great Thou Art” [instrumental]) The first three verses were inspired by memorable experiences in those mountains. In a village to which he had climbed, Mr. Hine stood in the street singing a gospel hymn and reading aloud John, Chapter 3. Among the sympathetic listeners was a local village schoolmaster. A storm was gathering, and when it was evident that no further travel could be made that night, the friendly schoolmaster offered his hospitality. The mighty thunder echoing through the mountains prompted the first verse. On his album “Kingsfold,” classical guitarist Larry Green plays this arrangement of “How Great Thou Art.” (Music: Larry Green, “How Great Thou Art” [instrumental]) Mr. Hine crossed the mountain frontier into Romania and into Bukovina. Together with some young people, through the woods and forest glades he wandered and heard the birds sing sweetly in the trees. Thus the second verse came into being. (Music: Michael Dowdle, “How Great Thou Art” [instrumental]) Verse three, “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,” was aspiring to the conversion of many of the Carpathian mountain dwellers. When World War II broke out in 1939, Hine and his wife returned to Britain and settled in Somerset, where they published hymns and evangelical literature in various languages. The fourth verse came after the war. Reverend Hine stated that part of the inspiration for verse four was the question constantly on the lips of the eastern European refugees who had streamed into Britain. When can we go home? The joy of returning to our heavenly home is portrayed in this verse. Stuart K. Hine died in 1989, leaving a legacy of many hymns, but none more beloved than this one. The BYU Singers under the baton of Ronald Staheli perform “How Great Thou Art” on their album “We Sing of Christ.”

2 (Music: The BYU Singers, “How Great Thou Art”) Jenny Oaks Baker plays this rendition of the melody of “How Great Thou Art” known as “O Store Gud” on her “On Wings of Song” album. (Music: Jenny Oaks Baker, “How Great Thou Art” [instrumental]) This guitar arrangement of “How Great Thou Art” comes from Michael Dowdle’s “Hymns of Praise, Songs of Joy” album. (Music: Michael Dowdle, “How Great Thou Art” [instrumental]) This version of “How Great Thou Art” by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Orchestra at Temple Square is found on their album “Then Sings My Soul.” (Music: Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Orchestra at Temple Square, “How Great Thou Art”) [END MUSIC]

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