Introduction
“How Great Thou Art” traces its origin to an 1885 Swedish poem titled “O Store Gud,” written by Carl Boberg after he experienced a dramatic thunderstorm and the ensuing peace of nature on Sweden’s southeast coast . Inspired by “the stars and the thunder” in Psalm 8, the poem celebrated the majesty of creation, humanity’s smallness, and gratitude for Christ’s sacrifice .
In the early 1930s, English missionary Stuart K. Hine heard a Russian version of the hymn during work in Poland. He translated and expanded the lyrics into a heartfelt English version, maintaining the profound sense of wonder and worship present in Boberg’s original. Hine’s rendition gained global popularity, eventually becoming a staple with Billy Graham crusades in the 1950s, thanks to George Beverly Shea’s powerful performances.
Alan Jackson’s live version builds upon this rich legacy. Included in his 2006 gospel album Precious Memories, Jackson performs the hymn with reverence and sincerity, unadorned and deeply personal . Fans and critics alike have praised his rendition; one Reddit user called it “one of the best versions of this song I’ve heard” .
Jackson’s respect for the hymn’s spiritual roots shines through in his live performance, where his clear tenor and restrained accompaniment allow the lyrics to take center stage. The simplicity and emotional honesty echo the hymn’s initial expression of awe at creation and God’s redemptive power.
This introduction will delve into the history of “How Great Thou Art,” from Boberg’s Swedish origins and Hine’s English translation to its soaring rise in evangelical movements, and finally to Jackson’s heartfelt interpretation. Through this journey, we’ll explore how a hymn born of a thunderstorm became a universal anthem of worship, and how Jackson’s version continues to resonate with listeners today.