Introduction
“How Great Thou Art” is one of the most beloved Christian hymns of all time, and Joey+Rory’s heartfelt rendition adds a layer of deep personal faith and emotional resonance to this timeless classic. The hymn itself traces its origins back to a Swedish poem written in 1885 by Carl Boberg. Titled O Store Gud, the poem was inspired by a thunderstorm Boberg witnessed on the southeastern coast of Sweden. Over time, the poem was set to a Swedish folk melody, translated into German and Russian, and eventually into English in the 1940s by British missionary Stuart K. Hine, whose version became the foundation for the modern hymn known worldwide today.
Joey+Rory, the American country and gospel duo comprised of husband and wife Rory Feek and Joey Martin Feek, included “How Great Thou Art” on their 2016 album Hymns That Are Important to Us. The album, recorded while Joey was battling terminal cancer, is a collection of their favorite gospel songs and serves as a reflection of the couple’s deep Christian faith and enduring hope. Released just weeks before Joey’s passing, the album became both a musical tribute and a spiritual legacy.
Joey’s pure, gentle vocals on “How Great Thou Art” carry a sense of peace and surrender, making this version especially poignant. Their stripped-down acoustic arrangement allows the lyrics—praising the majesty and power of God—to take center stage. The performance resonated with fans and critics alike, and the album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums and Top Christian Albums charts.
In singing this iconic hymn, Joey+Rory created not only a moving version of a traditional classic, but also an enduring testament to faith in the face of life’s hardest trials.