thoughts on the news of the day: hymn

hmmm….

            “How Great Thou Art” went viral.  As performed by Carrie Underwood and Vince Gill, the well-loved Christian anthem is covering the internet. According to one internet server, searches for Underwood’s version of the hymn spiked at 36% on Saturday and it continues to climb.

            Carrie Underwood can sing a song, no doubt about it; but choosing a gospel tune and performing it on national television with such popularity is something else.  That is true especially when it becomes an internet phenomenon.  

            “How Great Thou Art” is arguably the most favorite hymn sung today.  Although it was originally written in Sweden, it was not widely known until 1957.  At that time, Billy Graham chose it for his Crusade in New York City.  Because of its popularity, it was performed on Graham’s Crusades nearly 100 times throughout the world. 

            The first verse of the hymn begins a beautiful and inspiring statement of God’s incredible creation.  It goes something like this:  “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. Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee, How great Thou art, How great Thou art.”

            Christian or not, it’s hard to hear the hymn and not be touched by the magnificence of creation and God’s love for us.  Take time today to listen to the hymn, or read the words, they will bring you to wonder and delight.

            hmmm…..