Sunday, January 29, 2012 pm
“HOW GREAT THOU ART”
Sacred Selections, #1A
Tonight we want to examine another song that we sing from time to time.
This song traces its roots back more than 125 years ago when the
basis of it was a Swedish hymn entitled, “O Store Gud” which means, “O
Great God”. It was
originally written by Carl Boberg in 1885.
Boberg composed the hymn simply as a poem.
Several years later he heard his poem put to the melody of a
Swedish folk song. After
returning home from a walk from worship services.
He had seen a thunderstorm on the horizon with lightening in the
sky and strong winds in the meadows, and then the rain.
After the storm there was a rainbow.
Arriving at home he opened his window and saw the bay of
Monsteras nearby and in the woods he heard the singing of birds.
These observations prompted him that evening to write the first
two of the poem that would become this hymn.
When it was first sung in public it contained 8 verses, with a
ninth verse added in 1891.
Through a series of events, it was translated into German, then into
Russian and later It was translated in to English first by E. Gustav
Johnson. In 1925 he
translated several verses of the original song, which are different from
the version we have, and entitled, “O Great God.”
The
version found in our song book was published in 1949 by Stuart K Hine,
who was a British Methodist missionary.
The first two verses were based upon the original though some say
that Hine had a similar experience with his wife in the Carpathian
Mountains of Russia where he was a missionary.
That could explain different wording for his verses 1 & 2.
However, vs. 3 & 4 were based upon events that he observed which
we will notice as we examine those verses.
According to Manna Music Inc, there have been more than 1700 documented
recordings of this hymn, second only to Amazing Grace.[1]
As we examine the message of this hymn, we realize that its
origin is in denominational circles, but its message is true to God’s
word and thus we can sing it scripturally (Eph. 5:19, Col. 3:16).
Let us now examine the message of this hymn.
a.
O Lord My God – As this song begins it acknowledges our Creator.
The term Lord at times refers to Jesus, but at other times it
refers to God the Father.
Especially in the Old Testament, the term LORD acknowledged Him – Psalm
48:8, 11, Rev. 21:22, Gen. 2:7 which says, “And
the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his
nostrils the breath of life and man became a living being.”
This is the first of 538 times in the NKJV we read the expression
“Lord God.”
In our song, right at the beginning, we find an acknowledgment of the
greatness of God as our Lord or ruler.
Of course, all three of the Godhead were involved in the creation of the
world and similar acknowledgment could be made of them all.
b.
When I in awesome wonder-
truly God is to be held in awe and reverence.
The idea of awe is to view with great amazement and wonder.
It is an acknowledgment that involves respect.
In every aspect of life and His being, God ought to be held in
awe.
Psalm 33:8 says, “Let all the earth fear the LORD; Let all the
inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.”
Psalm 111:9 says, “Holy and awesome is His name.”
(The KJV & ASV say, “Holy and reverend is His name.”)
Hebrews 13:28 tells us that we ought to serve God with “reverence and
godly fear.”
c.
Consider all the worlds thy hands have made
–
The rest of this verse describes some of God’s creation - stars,
thunder, “Thy power throughout the universe displayed”.
I see in these expressions of this verse the greatness of God’s power –
in the stars we find innumerable strength.
i.
There are billions and
billions of stars, all created by God.
The vastness of our universe within itself is a declaration of
power!
ii.
Thunderings are often
associated with power as well – the result of lightening in the
atmosphere produces a deafening sound that will demand the attention of
anyone and strike fear.
Often the voice of God is described in terms of thundering calling for
the great awe He deserves (Ex.
19:16, 20:18; Psa. 18:13, 29:3, etc.)
Romans 1:20 tells us, “For
since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly
seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal
power and godhead, so that they are without excuse…”
When man considers the intricacy of this world, how can he deny the
existence of a creator?
Psalm 19:1-6 tells us that “the
heavens declare the glory of God.”
II.
Verse 2 describes how in
nature we see evidence of God and His peace –
a.
Vs. 2 is descriptive of
our awareness of God as we look at nature.
As noted in the introduction, the words of this verse were the result of
observations by the author.
They were written as the calm after the storm rendered a serene
peace. Wandering through the
woods and forest glades (an open space in a forest), feeling a gentle
breeze, hearing the birds and the meandering brook, viewing the majesty
of nature from the top of a mountain.
b.
Man has sought to create
some wonderful things and places to go.
But no matter how much he does, nothing compares to that hike in
the midst of a forest where for miles around you see nothing but the
majestic nature of God. As
you drive along a scenic highway, you pull over to view the grandeur.
Made created the overlook, but it was GOD who created the view
that warranted it.
c.
The author saw God’s
presence, power and peace in nature.
We could spend hours discussing how the existence of God is demonstrated
in the smallest and greatest things in this world (and beyond).
But let us suffice to say that as we consider all that He has
made may it humble us to declare how truly great He is.
d.
And may it give us a “peace
that surpasses all understanding.” (Phil. 4:7)
Col 3:15 says, “And let the
peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one
body; and be thankful.”
e.
Consider with these
first 2 verses, Psalm 8 speaks of the excellence of God and how it ought
to humble us.
Psalm 33:6-9 says, “By the word of
the Lord the heavens were made, and all the host of them by the breath
of His mouth…”
a.
It is recorded that this
verse was penned as Mr. Hine and his wife were visiting a village in
Russia. After inquiring for
the whereabouts of Christians in the village, he and his wife arrived at
the home where the only believers in town were assembled he listened as
the “call to repentance” was being issued.
Rather than disrupting the occasion, he stood outside and
listened hearing various responses of repentance.
He wrote down some of the phrases he heard and they became part
of vs. 3.
b.
And when I think that
God His Son not sparing, sent Him to die -
As great and marvelous as nature is in demonstrating the awesomeness of
God, it pales in comparison to what He did for us.
John 3:16 says, “For God SO loved
the world that He gave His only begotten Son.”
1 John 4:9-10, “In this the love
of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son
into the world, that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not
that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the
propitiation for our sins.”
c.
I scarce can take it in -
Think about this – the earth is a single planet orbiting around an
insignificant star (the sun) in a universe that is 1000s of light years
in size and continually expanding.
On this planet, there are more than 3 BILLION souls among the
billions of billions of living things.
Of all the things in this vast universe, you and I are created
“in the likeness of God” AND blessed with a soul that has opportunity to
spend eternity with Him. It
is true that everyone of us is SPECIAL!
And when you consider all that happens in this world, both good and
evil, God CARES about you and me so much that He provided a plan by
which we can be saved. He
sent His Son!
Paul thought about this, “Oh the
depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable are His ways past finding out.”
Rom. 11:33
Eph. 3:14-18 describes the “width
and length and depth and height – to know the love of Christ which
passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”
Psalm 40:5, “Many, O Lord my God,
are Your wonderful works Which You have done; And Your thoughts toward
us Cannot be recounted to You in order; If I would declare and speak of
them,
They are more than can be numbered.”
d.
That on the cross, my
burdens gladly bearing, He bled and died to take away my sins
-
Jesus died on a cross for OUR sins!
1 Pet 2:24-25 says that He, “Himself
bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins,
might live for righteousness.
By whose stripes you are healed.”
See also Heb. 9:28, He was offered once to bear the sins of many.
1 Pet. 4:1 says that He suffered for us in the flesh.
John the Baptist introduced Jesus saying, “Behold! The Lamb of God who
takes away the sins of the world!”
John 1:29
a.
It is said this verse
was penned at the end of WWII.
Hine was visiting Russian refugees at a camp in England.
One of the professed Christians told of his life - that at the
end of the war he had been separated (unwillingly) from his wife because
of circumstances. When
separated his wife was a believer and he was not.
Since then he had become a believer and hoped to one day be
reunited with his wife so that they could share their faith together.
But he told Hines he did not think it would happen and was
therefore longing for the day when they would meet in heaven and could
spend eternity together.
This account resulted in the 4th verse of our song.[2]
b.
When Christ shall come
with shout of acclamation
- we are told in scripture that the Lord will return one day and the
world will be judged.
2 Cor. 5:10 says we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ.
1 Thess. 4:13-18 describes the comfort we can have and with which we
ought to comfort one another because the Lord will return.
2 Thess. 1:7 that those who trouble us will be addressed and we will
find rest “when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty
angels.”
Acts 1:11, the disciples were told that as the Lord ascended He would
return one day.
c.
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart
-
1 Thess. 4:16-17 says, “…And the
dead in Christ will rise first.
Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with
them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.
And thus we shall always be with the Lord.”
1 Cor. 15:50-56 describes how we will be changed and find our victory in
Jesus Christ.
d.
Then I shall bow in humble adoration and there proclaim, “My God how great
thou art” -
We are told in Phil. 2:10-11 that every knee shall bow before His name
and every tongue will confess Him.
For the doomed and rebellious this will be a great day of dread.
But for the redeemed, this will be an honor and a great day of
glory. With gladness we will
profess, “MY God how great Thou art!”
In The book of Revelation we read of the throne of God on several
occasions – before the throne there is constant worship and adoration of
God – Rev. 4:8 – four living creatures
praise Him saying , “holy, holy, holy”; 4:10 – the 24 elders
praise the Lord as worthy of glory, honor and power; 5:11-12 – as the
Lamb of God who was slain is revealed we find the living creatures, the
elders and many thousands of angels, and every creature in heaven and on
the earth praising Him;
7:10-12 describes a great multitude who overcame tribulations standing
around the throne saying “Salvation belongs to
our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”; and Rev.
19:4-7 where in victory God is again praised saying, “Alleluia!
For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns.
Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage
of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.”
The point is that before God there will be praise and glory and “thus we
shall always be with the Lord.”
Peter said, “Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for
new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” (2 Pet.
3:13)
e.
Friends – are you looking forward to that day?
V.
Chorus –
a.
Then sings my soul – with joy we ought to sing of our hope.
James 5:13.
b.
My Savior God to thee
– in our singing we must first remember that we are praising God.
With gladness we ought to continually praise God with the fruit of our
lips – Heb. 13:15.
Ephesians 5:19 tells us to sing and make melody in your hearts to the
Lord.
c.
How Great Thou Art – Read Psalm 145:1-7
O when I see ungrateful
man defiling
This bounteous earth, God's gifts so good and great;
In foolish pride, God's holy Name reviling,
And yet, in grace, His wrath and judgment wait.
When burdens press, and seem beyond endurance,
Bowed down with grief, to Him I lift my face;
And then in love He brings me sweet assurance:
'My child! for thee sufficient is my grace'.