Link to song on SoundCloud: How Great You Are
Friday night, I got to spend a little time banging on the keys, playing and singing songs to worship. Some were to prepare for Sunday, and some were simply because I enjoy them.
I found a few chord progressions I liked, and started putting some lyrics together for a melody that formed in my head. Then I realized I could combine these lyrics and the music with the words of the old hymn, “How Great Thou Art.”
That hymn is a favorite for my Dad, who is 100% Swedish. A young Swedish pastor penned the lyrics after a stroll through the woods experiencing the glory of God revealed in nature. Like many hymns, it quickly turns attention to Christ’s sacrifice and atonement for our sin on the Cross, followed by a reminder of the glorious hope of eternity with God.
The bridge I added, the part with “Sing my soul how great this God,” was meant to be the crescendo of praise in the song. I wanted the music and the words to be something that builds up to a point where I throw everything I have into worship, into the music, into my relationship with God, into living for Him. After all, what good is a song that sounds great right now as I sing it but does not remind me or challenge me to continue living out its message?
Verse 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 pow’r throughout the universe displayed
Chorus
Then sings my soul My Savior God to Thee
How great You are
God, how great You are to me
Praises bring to the matchless King
God how great You are
How great You are
Verse2
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
Bridge
Sing my soul how great this God Everlasting Ever loving
Sing my soul how great this God Never ending Never failing
God how great You are God how great You are
Verse 3
When Christ shall come with shouts of acclamation
and take me home what joy shall fill my heart
Then I shall bow in humble adoration
and then proclaim “My God how great Thou art!”
Now sings my soul, my Savior, God, to Thee