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Hine’s Version of “How Great Thou Art” on YouTube
If you haven’t heard “How Great Thou Art,” you may be in for a treat. There are several versions of this hymn on YouTube, including a version by Hine and a more recent one by Richard M. Elmer. Hine’s version is probably the most famous, but you’ll find plenty of versions online as well. Here are a few facts about “How Great Thou Art” that you might not have known before.
Hine’s version
The English language version of the hymn ‘How Great Thou Art’ was first recorded in the Russian language, and was adapted by British missionary Stuart Hine. Hine’s version was first heard in the Ukraine’s Carpathian Mountains, where he spent time with his wife as a missionary. Hine paraphrased the song for the first two verses of the hymn, which is now commonly known as ‘How Great Thou Art’.
In 1948, Boberg’s text was translated into German by Manfred von Glehn and Ivan S. Prokhanov. The final four-verse version was published in Hine’s Russian gospel magazine, Grace and Peace. These magazines were circulated among refugees from fifteen different countries. The translation of Hine’s version was embraced in each new country, and the song quickly became popular. Hine’s version is the best known and most widely performed English translation of this hymn.
In addition to being the most popular gospel hymn in the world, Hine’s version of the hymn has been voted the nation’s favorite song by Songs of Praise viewers. The song’s copyright protection will last until March 2059, so it is best to check with the composer before using it in your own church. Hine’s version of how great thou art is an inspiring true story.
Although the hymn is still popular today, it originated in Sweden. In 1907, Manfred Von Glehn translated the song into German and gave it the name ‘How Great Thou Art’. It quickly became popular in Sweden, and after a short while, it spread to other countries including Germany and Russia. In 1931, British Methodist missionary Stuart K. Hine heard a Russian translation of the hymn in the Ukraine. He then paraphrased the song into English.
The third verse, “It’s a joy to be alive” was inspired by the joyful reactions of Ukrainians who had recently received the gospel. The song also reflects Hines’ experience preaching in remote villages in the Carpathian Mountains. The fourth verse begins with a chorus of acclamation. The final stanza, ‘How Great Thou Art’, is a hymn of praise to God.
The hymn became popular in the United States during the early 1950s, when George Beverly Shea’s singing of the hymn was selected as the theme for a Billy Graham Crusade. Today, it’s the Billy Graham version that is associated with the hymn’s popularity. But the song has been popularized by many other people, and there are many verses that make up the hymn.
