How Majestic Is Your Name
O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name
The hymn embodies Lutheran appreciation for God's self-revelation in creation (natural revelation) while pointing to the Gospel as the ultimate expression of divine majesty. It demonstrates the Lutheran principle of seeing God's handiwork in nature as an invitation to worship and acknowledgment of His lordship over all creation.
History & Background
Carl Boberg composed this hymn in 1885 in Sweden, originally titled "O Store Gud" (O Great God), expressing wonder at nature's revelation of divine majesty. Stuart K. Hine translated it into English in 1949, and it became widely known through evangelical use, eventually adopted by Lutheran hymnals.
Hymnal Appearances
- Baptist Hymnal — 37
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 835
- Lutheran Service Book — 978
Translation
Bulletin Note
Carl Boberg's 1885 Swedish hymn was translated into English as 'O Mighty God' and later retitled 'How Majestic Is Your Name.' Its sturdy tune O Store Gud has carried this meditation on natural revelation across Lutheran traditions worldwide.
Preaching Connection
This hymn embodies the Law-Gospel movement beautifully: creation's majesty humbles us with our own smallness, yet God's grace toward the insignificant reveals the ultimate majesty—self-giving love at Calvary.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Law to Gospel: human insignificance before divine majesty (stanzas 1-2) yields to amazement at Christ's substitutionary atonement (stanza 3) and eschatological hope (stanza 4)
Themes
God's majesty and glory Creation and divine power Praise and worship God's transcendence Human dignity in God's creation