My God How Wonderful Thou Art
My God, how wonderful Thou art
The hymn exemplifies Lutheran appreciation for God's transcendent majesty and infinite perfection, reflecting the Reformation emphasis on divine sovereignty. It serves as a meditation on God's attributes accessible through reason and revelation, central to Lutheran natural theology.
History & Background
Written by Frederick William Faber in 1849 as part of his collection of hymns on divine attributes. Originally published in his work emphasizing meditative praise, it became widely adopted in both Catholic and Protestant hymnals.
Scripture References Frederick W Faber (b. Calverly, Yorkshire, England, 1814; st. 1 = Ps. 113:5 d. Kensington, London, England, 1863) wrote “My God, how st. 5 = Ps. 103:13 wonderful thou art,” a hymn published in his Jesus and Mary; or Catholic Hymns (1849). Of the original nine stanzas, 1, 3-5, 7, and 9 are included in modernized form. Presenting a magnificent view of God, this text is particularly appropriate for the late twentieth century, a time in which humankind has lost its sense of wonder. As we sing, we contemplate the glory and majesty of God (st. 1-2), which in turn inspires our holy fear, penitence, and love (st. 3-4). The text alludes to Psalm 103:13 (st. 5) and gives us an apocalyptic vision of worshiping God face to face (st. 6). Raised in the Church of England, Faber came from a Huguenot and strict Calvinistic family background. He was educated at Balliol College, Oxford, and ordained in the 668 REDEMPTION Church of England in 1839. Influenced by the teaching ofJohn Henry Newman, Faber followed Newman into the Roman Catholic Church in 1845 and served under Newman’s supervision in the Oratory of St. Philip Neri. Because he believed that Roman Catholics should sing hymns like those written byJohn Newton , Charles Wesley , and William Cowper , Faber wrote 150 hymns himself. One of his best known, “Faith of Our Fathers,” originally had these words in its third stanza: “Faith of Our Fathers! Mary’s prayers/Shall win our country back to thee. ” He published his hymns in various volumes and finally collected all of them in Hymns (1862).
Hymnal Appearances
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 732
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 524
- Lutheran Worship — 377
- Psalter Hymnal — 499
- Trinity Hymnal — 4
Liturgical Use
As a hymn of adoration at the beginning of worship, or as a response after preaching.
Bulletin Note
Written by Anglican convert Frederick William Faber in 1849, this hymn reflects the 19th-century recovery of patristic theology while maintaining Reformation emphasis on God's sovereign perfection accessible through both reason and revealed Word.
Preaching Connection
This hymn's meditation on God's transcendent attributes serves as the Law that humbles us before divine majesty, preparing hearts to receive the Gospel's astounding news that this holy God has stooped to meet us in Christ.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Law (conviction of sin and need) progressing to Gospel (confident appeal for Christ's remembrance, guidance, and final salvation)
Themes
God's majesty and greatness Divine attributes Contemplation of God Reverence and awe Adoration