How Great the Heart

A hallowed translation of the hymn How Great Thou Art by Stuart K. Hine

I was practicing the song I'm writing on the flute. It is an instrumental song that's been brewing since early this year. I stopped in the middle, as I felt inspired to flip open my green Mormon hymnal. The page landed on How Great Thou Art.

At first, I thought about the art of God and the beauty I see in EVERY THING and in EVERY SOUL! I played the song all the way through, singing Hine's words in my head. Then, I put down the flute and sang them out loud. By the third verse, I felt compelled to change the wording. This was no dishonor, this was a sacred gift of translation. I asked God if these words were sacrosanct, not to be trespassed upon. Were they above or beyond change? I felt the spiritual confirmation that I was to sit with this song and allow another level of its message to be delivered to those whose vocabulary omits religious context.

As I let it flow forth, omitting all Mormon/Christian-specific language, a beautiful message poured down over me and through me.

♫ Oh Love, my guard, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the works our hands have made.
I see the stars. I hear the mighty thunder.
Love's power throughout the universe displayed.

Then sings my SOUL, my spirit's Love to these.
How great the heart.
How great the heart.
Then sings my SOUL, my spirit Love to these.
How great the heart.
How great the heart.

When thru 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 hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze,

Then sings my SOUL, my spirit's Love to these.
How great the heart...

And when I think, when Love goes forth unsparing,
Gives life to live. I scarce can take it in,
That in our crux, our burdens gladly sharing
Love's power proclaims, "My soul, how great the heart!"

Then sings my SOUL, my spirit's Love to these.
How great the heart...

When Light shall come, with shout of acclamation,
And take me hOMe, what joy shall fill my heart!
Then I shall bow in humble adoration
And there proclaim, "My soul, how great my heart."

Then sings my SOUL, my spirit's Love to thee.
How great the heart...