Borrowed Breath

The other day, I was thinking about that old hymn, “How Great Thou Art.” I was remembering the lyrics that spelled out the greatness of God, from the stars and universe He created, to the beauty of the woods and birds and mountains and gentle breeze, to the enormity of His sacrifice on Calvary, bearing my sin, dying my death, to the reality of His imminent return. I was thinking about all of this greatness, and it became obvious why the hymn writer chose to start each chorus with “Then sings my soul…” There are times when we are so overwhelmed by the greatness of God’s creation and His love and His care for His bride, that words fall short, and my soul sings even when my tongue is tied.

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.
     Then sings my soul, My Saviour 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 see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.

     Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
     How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
     Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
     How great Thou art, How great Thou art! 

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. 

     Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
     How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
     Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
     How great Thou art, How great Thou art! 

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 then proclaim: “My God, how great Thou art!” 

     Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
     How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
     Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
     How great Thou art, How great Thou art! 

(words & music by Carl G Boberg and R.J. Hughes)