Children & Chocolate and Other Paths to God

I heard a piece of this hymn the other day, and I forgot just how much I love it, for two reasons 1) when sung at the top of your lungs, it is incredibly powerful and can bring you to your knees, and 2) I have vivid memories of my father singing this as a cantor in our church when I was a kid. (and reason number 2 is why I can’t sing it in public since I am quickly reduced to tears, even 20 years later…)

And if you really want a treat, you should listen to the Elvis Presley version. Just thought I’d share-

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:

(Chorus:)
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 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 hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze:

(Chorus)

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:

(Chorus)

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 there proclaim, my God, how great Thou art!