Sabbath Thought – How Great Thou Art

In 1885, a Swedish man named Carl Boberg was returning home after attending church in Kronoback. Without warning, large clouds blew in with strong winds, lightning flashed across the sky with extremely loud claps of thunder. Shortly thereafter, a cool rain descended refreshing the land. As quickly as the storm blew in, it was gone, leaving in its retreat a beautiful rainbow. Boberg lived in Monsteras and his home overlooked the local bay. As he opened his window to allow the fresh air in, he heard the soft song of a thrush. Boberg was so moved by the sights, sounds, and experience of the quick thunderstorm that he wrote a poem. He titled the poem “O Store Gud” (“O Great God” in English) using Psalm 8 as inspiration, and then later put that poem to music using a Swedish folk song publishing it in 1886. In English his song is known as “How Great Thou Art” and it originally had nine stanzas.

The song “How Great Thou Art” made its way around Sweden for 20 or so years before it made its way to America through the Mission Covenant Church of Sweden. The song really became popular in 1949 when it was translated into English by Stuart K. Hine and used by Billy Graham in his early crusades.

What is less known, is that Boberg was a minister and part of what was called at the time “the underground church” in Sweden because the religious groups of the Baptists and Mission Friends were being persecuted. Even though Boberg, and those who worshipped similarly, were being persecuted, he still saw God moving in the world around him. Even in the midst of an initially very scary storm, he saw God’s presence and blessing in his life.

Psalm 8 is a psalm personifying wisdom and expounding on the blessings that come from using wisdom from God. At the end of this chapter, the psalmist concludes with, “Now therefore, listen to me, my children, For blessed are those who keep my ways. Hear instruction and be wise, And do not disdain it. Blessed is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoever finds me finds life, And obtains favor from the LORD; But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul; All those who hate me love death,” – (Psalm 8:32-36).

The prophet Elijah was shown that God is not always in the great and strong winds, He is not always in the powerful things of nature, and He is not always in the exhibitions of large fire. Elijah was shown that God more often than not speaks through a still, small voice (1 Kings 19:9-18). This is what Carl Boberg saw as well and was inspired to write such a moving, and meaningful hymn.

On this Sabbath day, I would encourage you to look for God through His still, small voice. Pay attention to the things he has done in your life that show His desire for you to be in His family. Enjoy the creation He has given to us to appreciate, and enjoy that it also shows us the care and love He has for us.

I pray that you have a very meaningful Sabbath

Dan Dowd

24 January, 2026