How Great Thou Art

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 power throughout the universe displayed

We sung this hymn at Chris and Hester’s wedding. I’ve heard and sung these wonderful words many times… the meaningful solo, the power of a large choir, accompanied by a gentle, simple guitar or piano or an enthusiastic, loud rock band. At Friday’s wedding we were accompanied by the organ in the parish church…

Young people getting married… I’ve chosen a version sung by young people… this isn’t an old hymn just to be sung by old people!

When through the woods, and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees
When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur
And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze

As a wedding hymn this doesn’t focus on love, joy and peace in marriage; it doesn’t remind us of people, relationships and family life. Starting with ‘O Lord my God’ and finishing with ‘How great thou art’ it points us to a creative, awesome, powerful God.

I reflect on this week’s enjoyment of fields, trees, lakes, rivers, birds, animals… the variety of weather in sunshine, wind, rain… the rhythm of day and night, the seasons, crops and harvest… And I see, appreciate and worship this great God with awesome wonder.

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
The scene shifts to Jesus, the suffering, dying Saviour; we’re reminded that this isn’t part of some tragic failure, but another part of God’s greatness. It’s personal… my sin, my Saviour.

When Christ shall come, with shout 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!”

Finally we’re reminded of the endgame, Christ’s endgame, my endgame, when I, joyfully yet humbly, see, understand and experience God’s greatness in a many more dimensions… still singing ‘How great thou art’, but with much greater appreciation.

I hope and pray that this will still be Hester and Chris’ song too.

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!