eLanka

Wednesday, 24 Sep 2025
  • Home
  • Read History
  • Articles
    • eLanka Journalists
  • Events
  • Useful links
    • Obituaries
    • Seeking to Contact
    • eLanka Newsletters
    • eLanka Testimonials
    • Sri Lanka Newspapers
    • Sri Lanka TV LIVE
    • Sri Lanka Radio
    • eLanka Recepies
  • Gallery
  • Contact
Newsletter
  • eLanka Weddings
  • Property
  • eLanka Shop
  • Business Directory
eLankaeLanka
Font ResizerAa
Search
  • Home
  • Read History
  • Articles
    • eLanka Journalists
  • Events
  • Useful links
    • Obituaries
    • Seeking to Contact
    • eLanka Newsletters
    • eLanka Testimonials
    • Sri Lanka Newspapers
    • Sri Lanka TV LIVE
    • Sri Lanka Radio
    • eLanka Recepies
  • Gallery
  • Contact
Follow US
© 2005 – 2025 eLanka Pty Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Home » Blog » Articles » SONGS OF PRAISE – HOW GREAT THOU ART – By Charles Schokman
Articles

SONGS OF PRAISE – HOW GREAT THOU ART – By Charles Schokman

eLanka admin
Last updated: June 13, 2023 6:35 am
By
eLanka admin
ByeLanka admin
Follow:
Share
3 Min Read
SHARE

SONGS OF PRAISE – HOW GREAT THOU ART – By Charles Schokman

The Christian hymn has roots in Sweden and has since travelled across the world.

‘How Great Thou Art’ is a Christian hymn which started life as a poem set to a Swedish melody.

The poem, ‘O Store Gud’ (O Great God), was written by the Swedish poet and lay minister, Carl Boberg, in 1885. According to hymnologist J. Irving Erickson, the poem is said to be inspired from a sudden violent thunderstorm which Boberg was caught in on his way home from church.

After the storm had cleared, and Boberg had returned home, he opened his window and looked out towards the sea. The evening was quiet, and Boberg could hear the sound of church bells. It was these sights and sounds that inspired the words of ‘O Store Gud’. 

More Read

tale of the gaza
Contradictions of Grace – By Dr Harold Gunatillake
VICTOR’S 90TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS
Down the memory lane – By Charles Schokman
Kingswood College, Kandy-by Kalani-eLanka

The lyrics were matched with a traditional Swedish folk song and first sung in a church in 1888, three years after the poem was written.

As the hymn’s popularity gained momentum, the lyrics began to spread across the world. British missionary Stuart K. Hine translated the lyrics into English. His translation was actually done from Russian lyrics, which were a translation of German lyrics, which were a translation of the original Swedish lyrics. 

Hine also added two original verses of his own to the 1949 translation, which still feature in the lyrics today.

More Read

Horton Plains
Horton Plains: A Jewel of Sri Lanka’s Highlands – By Malsha – eLanka
Sri Lanka’s Floral Wonder: The 12-Year Bloom of Strobilanthes at Horton Plains – By Bhanuka – eLanka
From Birds to Butterflies: Showcasing Sri Lanka’s Rich Natural Heritage – By Nadeeka – eLanka
Asia Cup 2025: ‘There was a difference of two boundaries’ – Dasun Shanaka rues missed chances after Bangladesh defeat By rathnam_nayak

 It has been named as the favourite hymn of at least three of the United States’ presidents and featured in major films and television programmes.

The song has also been covered by notable performers including Pentatonix and Jennifer Hudson in 2017, and country artist, Carrie Underwood.

In 1967, Elvis Presley also recorded the hymn as the title track of his second gospel LP How Great Thou Art which earned him two Grammy awards.

 By Sophia Alexandra Hall

Let us open up our hearts by joining in the singing of this hymn and give thanks and praise to God.

 

More Read

INTRODUCTION As of 2010, there were 45,159 Sri Lankans living in the US. Substantial immigration began in the 1990s when many fled the violence of the Sri Lankan Civil War. The majority of Sri Lankan-Americans live in the vicinity of either New York City (where there’s a Little Sri Lanka on Staten Island), central New Jersey, or Los Angeles.
Sri Lanka’s new wildlife guide: A passport to eco-tourism growth – By Ifham Nizam
Sri Lanka Sets $2.5 Billion Tea Export Target by 2030 with Boost in Production
The Bangkok Gems & Jewellery Fair – By Dr Harold Gunatillake
Anula Vidyalaya Alumni NSW & ACT Presents – Aradhana 2025

You are welcome to pass this on.

TAGGED:HOW GREAT THOU ART
Share This Article
Email Copy Link Print
Previous Article Thissamaharamaya Temple- elanka A town located in the Hambantota District of Sri Lanka ‘ Thissamaharamaya ‘ – By Malsha – elanka
Next Article Kerrigan La-Brooy - Medals For Mothers Kerrigan La-Brooy – Medals For Mothers
FacebookLike
YoutubeSubscribe
LinkedInFollow
Most Read
10 Pictures With Fascinating Stories Behind Them!

“A PICTURE SPEAKS A 1000 WORDS” – By Des Kelly

Look past your thoughts so you may drink the pure nectar of this moment

A Life Hack for when we’re Burnt Out & Broken Down – By Uma Panch

Narration of the History of our Proud Ancestral (Orang Jawa) Heritage. by Noor R. Rahim

eLanka Weddings

eLanka Marriage Proposals

Noel News

Noel News

Noel News

Noel News- By Noel Whittaker

EILEEN MARY SIBELLE DE SILVA (nee DISSANAYAKE) – 29 September 1922 – 6 April 2018 – A Woman of Value an Appreciation written by Mohini Gunasekera

K.K.S. Cement Factory

Dr.Harold Gunatillake’s 90th Birthday party

Sri Lanka's women's cricket squad in Melbourne

Cricket: Sri Lanka’s women’s squad in Melbourne

- Advertisement -
Ad image
Related News
Sydney Expatriates Meet Dr. Harsha de Silva, MP and the Chairman of the Finance Committee of Sri Lanka Parliament
Articles

Sydney Expatriates Meet Dr. Harsha de Silva, MP and the Chairman of the Finance Committee of Sri Lanka Parliament

Articles

MOVA Partners with FILMBASE to Bring Next-Generation Smart Glass & LED Film Solutions to Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka hosts the Asia Pacific Motorsport Championship 2025! 01
Articles

Sri Lanka hosts the Asia Pacific Motorsport Championship 2025!

Elanka newsletter
Articles eLanka Newsletters

eLanka Newsletter -21st September 2025 – 3rd Edition – Sri Lankans In Australia

Articles

Foods that can naturally support better sleep

  • Quick Links:
  • Articles
  • DESMOND KELLY
  • Dr Harold Gunatillake
  • English Videos
  • Sri Lanka
  • Sinhala Videos
  • eLanka Newsletters
  • Obituaries
  • Tamil Videos
  • Dr. Harold Gunatillake
  • Sunil Thenabadu
  • Sinhala Movies
  • Trevine Rodrigo
  • Michael Roberts
  • Photos

eLanka

Your Trusted Source for News & Community Stories: Stay connected with reliable updates, inspiring features, and breaking news. From politics and technology to culture, lifestyle, and events, eLanka brings you stories that matter — keeping you informed, engaged, and connected 24/7.
Kerrie road, Oatlands , NSW 2117 , Australia.
Email : info@eLanka.com.au / rasangivjes@gmail.com.
WhatsApp : +61402905275 / +94775882546

(c) 2005 – 2025 eLanka Pty Ltd. All Rights Reserved.