Beloved hymn "How Great Thou Art" has inspired Christians for decades. And as the song celebrates its 75th anniversary, worship leader Matt Redman is honoring its legacy with an updated version.
The singer-songwriter told CBN News about his unique collaboration with a slew of Christian artists, including: Chris Tomlin, Hillary Scott, Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes, Naomi Raine, Blessing Offor, Jon Reddick, TAYA, Brian and Jenn Johnson, Matt Maher, Pat Barrett, Benjamin William Hastings, Ryan Ellis, and Mitch Wong — familiar, powerhouse voices who coalesced for the new rendition.
This wide array of voices gleeful to take part speaks to the song's prevalence in the church today. "You go around churches, different streams, and expressions of church — you'd be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn't find some kind of connection to this hymn," Redman said, noting the song spread like "wildfire" once it started being played at Billy Graham crusades.
The worship singer offered his perspective on why he believes "How Great Thou Art" has been such a timeless and popular song. "I think it might be because it has this beautiful story, starts with creation, gets the cross, but we get our chance to say what we think about those things," Redman said. "I think some of the best hymns, they're like a classroom and a chapel — they ... educate us, inspire us, bring something to mind, and then they give us a chance to respond to that, say what we think about that."
He said the song, unlike many old hymns, is still under copyright. The copyright holder — which is typically very protective of the song — approached Redman and asked him if there was a way to celebrate the song's 75th anniversary. Listen to Redman share the incredible history of "How Great Thou Art" and how the new version of the song came to be.