Jordan Smith - How Great Thou Art Lyrics
Lyrics
Oh 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 Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation
To 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
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
Then sings my soul...
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...
Video
Jordan Smith - How Great Thou Art (Live At Gaither Studios, Alexandria, IN 2025)
Meaning & Inspiration
Jordan Smith's rendition of "How Great Thou Art," released on February 21, 2025, as part of *The People's Hymnal*, offers a profound and deeply moving testament to the enduring power of this classic hymn. More than just a musical performance, Smith's delivery breathes fresh life into a sacred text, inviting listeners into a space of awe and worship. The song's origin, rooted in the early 20th century, draws inspiration from a poem by Carl Boberg, a Swedish preacher, who was moved to write after witnessing a powerful thunderstorm followed by a serene sunset. This dual experience – the immense power of nature juxtaposed with its sublime beauty – became the bedrock of the hymn's message: the overwhelming majesty of God as revealed in His creation. Smith’s vocal performance, while undeniably skilled, serves as a vessel for the song’s core message, allowing the profound theological truths to shine through.
The essence of "How Great Thou Art" is an outpouring of the soul in recognition of divine grandeur. The lyrics express a profound sense of wonder when contemplating the vastness of the cosmos, from the distant stars to the rumbling thunder, all of which speak to God's immeasurable power. This is not merely an intellectual observation but an emotional and spiritual awakening, a moment where the singer’s very being is moved to declare the greatness of God. This echoes the Psalmist's cry in Psalm 19:1, "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands." The song beautifully captures the awe that can grip us when we truly pause to consider the intricate design and boundless scope of the universe, understanding it not as a random occurrence but as the deliberate creation of an all-powerful Creator.
Beyond the contemplation of creation, the hymn looks forward to a future of redeemed joy and eternal worship. The anticipation of Christ's return, marked by a "shout of acclamation," is presented as a moment of ultimate fulfillment, where personal salvation is realized and the singer will be taken home to God. This vision of the Second Coming is central to Christian hope, as described in passages like 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, which speaks of the Lord descending from heaven with a loud command. The promise of bowing in "humble adoration" and proclaiming God's greatness then is a powerful picture of ultimate surrender and unbroken fellowship, a state of being that the hymn suggests is the pinnacle of human existence. Smith's delivery imbues this future hope with a palpable sense of longing and serene certainty, guiding the listener towards this eschatological peace. The repetitive, yet never wearying, refrain, "Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee, How great Thou art," functions as a powerful mantra, a constant return to the central theme that permeates both the present experience of creation and the future hope of redemption. It is a reminder that this declaration of God's greatness is not a fleeting emotion but a persistent posture of the redeemed heart.