O mighty God, when I behold the wonder

Representative Text

1. O mighty God, when I behold the wonder
Of nature’s beauty, wrought by words of Thine,
And how Thou leadest all from realms up yonder,
Sustaining earthly life in love benign,

Refrain
With rapture filled, my soul Thy name would laud,
O mighty God! O mighty God!
With rapture filled, my soul Thy name would laud,
O mighty God! O mighty God!

2. When I behold the heavens in their vastness,
Where golden ships in azure issue forth,
Where sun and moon keep watch upon the fastness
Of changing seasons and of time on earth, [Refrain]

3. When I behold His Son to earth descending,
To help and heal and teach distressed mankind;
When evil flees and death in fear is bending
Before the glory of the Lord divine, [Refrain]

4. When, crushed by guilt of sin, before Him kneeling
I plead for mercy and for grace and peace,
I feel His balm and, all my bruises healing,
He saves my soul and sets my heart at ease. [Refrain]

5. When finally the mists of time have vanished,
And I in truth my faith confirmed shall see,
Upon the shores where earthly ills are banished,
I enter, Lord, to dwell in peace with Thee.

With rapture filled, my soul Thy name would laud,
Thanks be to Thee, O mighty God!
With rapture filled, my soul Thy name would laud,
Thanks be to Thee, O mighty God!

Source: The Cyber Hymnal #5172

Author: Carl Boberg

Boberg, Carl Gustaf. (Mönsterås, Sweden, August 16, 1859--January 7, 1940, Kalmar). Swedish Covenant. Bible school at Kristinehamn. Editor of Sanningsvittnet 1890-1916, organ of the Evangelical National Foundation. Member of the Swedish Parliament, 1912-1931. Popular speaker and appreciated writer. Published several collections of poetry and a number of hymns. Member of committee responsible for first two hymnals of the Swedish Covenant. Author of "Jesus, Jesus, O det ordet" ("Jesus, Jesus, Name Most Precious"); "Min själ berömmer Gud med fröjd" (My Soul Now Magnifies the Lord"); "O store Gud" ("O Mighty God"). The text now known as "How Great Thou Art" is an English translation of a Russian version based on an earlier German translati… Go to person page >

Translator: E. Gustav Johnson

Born: May 21, 1893, Väse Vämland, Sweden. Died: November 13, 1974, Miami, Florida. Johnson’s family emigrated to America when he was 10 years old, settling in Hartford, Connecticut. He learned the craft of a printer, but at age 30 took up studies at North Park, Chicago, Illinois, where he earned degrees at the academy, college, and seminary. He went on to graduate from the University of Chicago and Duke University. He started teaching English and Swedish at North Park in 1931, staying there three decades. He also found time to edit the Swedish Pioneer Historical Quarterly. His works include: The Swedish Element in America, 1933 (co-editor) Translation of C. J. Nyvall’s Travel Memories from America, 1876 Translatio… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: O mighty God, when I behold the wonder
Swedish Title: O store gud
Author: Carl Boberg
Translator: E. Gustav Johnson
Language: English
Refrain First Line: With rapture filled, my soul thy name would laud
Copyright: Public Domain

Tune

HOW GREAT THOU ART

Originally in triple meter, the Swedish tune O STORE GUD is in bar form (AAB). The first section has a very limited range of four notes; the more meditative stanzas give way to a dramatic refrain with an expanded range. Sing in parts and observe some rhythmic freedom in the last line of the refrain,…

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Timeline

Media

The Cyber Hymnal #5172
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The Cyber Hymnal #5172

The Covenant Hymnal #9

Include 3 pre-1979 instances
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