It was 2004. Chris Tomlin was sitting on his sofa in Austin, Texas. He wasn't trying to write a global anthem that would eventually be translated into dozens of languages. He was just looking at the Psalms. Specifically, Psalm 104. He started strumming a few chords, and the words to the song how great is our god began to take shape. It’s wild to think that a song written in a small apartment now echoes through massive stadiums and tiny rural chapels alike.
Honestly, the simplicity is what gets people. It isn't trying to be fancy. It isn't using complex theological jargon that requires a PhD to untangle. It’s just... direct.
The Story Behind the Splendor of a King
When you look at the opening lines, "The splendor of a King, clothed in majesty," you’re seeing Tomlin’s attempt to capture a fragment of the divine. He’s gone on record saying the chorus came together quickly, but the verses took some wrestling. He wanted to describe something that, by definition, is indescribable.
The imagery of "darkness tries to hide" and "trembles at His voice" isn't just poetic filler. It’s rooted in the idea of light overcoming shadow. It’s a universal human experience—the feeling of being in a dark place and needing something bigger than yourself to step in. Most people don't realize that the song was co-written with Jesse Reeves and Ed Cash. Ed Cash actually played a massive role in the bridge—that "Name above all names" part that everyone loves to belt out.
Sometimes songs happen by accident. This one felt more like an assignment. It has this weird staying power. Most worship songs have a shelf life of maybe five years before they’re replaced by the next big radio hit. Not this one.
Why the Words to the Song How Great Is Our God Stick in Your Head
Ever wonder why you can't stop humming it? It’s the "hook." But beyond the musicology, the lyrics operate on a three-fold structure.
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First, you have the description of God’s character. He’s wrapped in light. Time is in His hands. Then, it moves to the Trinity—the Lion and the Lamb. Finally, it pivots to the human response. My heart will sing. It’s a logical progression. It moves from "Who is He?" to "What does that mean for me?"
Let’s talk about the Lion and the Lamb bit for a second. That’s a classic theological paradox. A lion is fierce, a predator, a king. A lamb is vulnerable, a sacrifice. Putting them in the same breath is a bold lyrical move that mirrors the Book of Revelation. It reminds the singer that strength and humility aren't opposites. They’re two sides of the same coin.
The Bridge: A Turning Point in Worship Music
"Name above all names. Worthy of all praise."
Before this song, many worship bridges were complicated. They had weird time signatures or high notes that only professional singers could hit. Tomlin and Cash kept it accessible. They made it so a congregation of 500 people who can't carry a tune in a bucket could still feel like they were part of something epic.
The bridge builds. It’s a crescendo. It’s designed to make you feel the weight of the words. When people search for the words to the song how great is our god, they’re often looking for that specific section because it’s the emotional climax. It’s where the song shifts from a seated observation to a standing declaration.
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From Austin to the Global Stage
The song didn't just stay in Texas. It won the Dove Award for Song of the Year. Multiple times. It became the title track for Tomlin’s 2004 album Arriving. But the real "level up" happened when it started crossing borders.
I’ve heard stories of this song being sung in underground churches in Asia and in massive cathedrals in Europe. There is a "World Edition" that Tomlin released where singers from different nations perform parts of the song in their native languages—Hindi, Spanish, Mandarin, Zulu. It’s pretty moving. It proves that the core sentiment—gratitude for a creator—is a "human" thing, not just a "Western" thing.
Does it hold up in 2026?
You’d think we’d be tired of it by now. In a world of AI-generated music and hyper-polished pop, a 22-year-old acoustic worship ballad should be obsolete. But it’s not.
Maybe it’s because the world feels more chaotic now than it did in 2004. When things feel like they’re falling apart, singing "Age to age He stands / And time is in His hands" feels like a grounding wire. It’s a reminder that there’s a bigger narrative at play.
People crave stability. These lyrics offer a sense of "unchangingness" that is rare in digital culture.
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How to Use These Lyrics for Personal Reflection
If you’re looking at the words to the song how great is our god for more than just a Sunday morning singalong, try breaking it down line by line.
- "He wraps Himself in light": Think about what light does. It reveals. It warms. It guides.
- "The Godhead, three in one": It’s an invitation to contemplate the mystery of community within the divine.
- "My heart will sing": This is a choice. Singing isn't always a feeling; sometimes it’s a decision to focus on something better.
Honestly, the best way to experience it is to stop analyzing it for a minute. Just listen. Let the bridge build up. See if it doesn't do something to your perspective.
Practical Steps for Musicians and Worship Leaders
If you’re a worship leader trying to keep this song fresh, don't overproduce it. The song’s strength is its vulnerability.
- Try an acoustic arrangement. Strip it back to just a guitar or a piano. Let the lyrics breathe.
- Focus on the dynamics. Start very quiet—almost a whisper—on the first verse. Build the bridge gradually. Don't hit the "wall of sound" too early.
- Teach the "why." Before you lead it, tell the story of Psalm 104. Give people a reason to care about the words they’re saying.
The song isn't a museum piece. It’s a tool. It was designed to help people express something they didn't have the words for. Whether you're a believer or just someone who appreciates the craftsmanship of a well-written anthem, there's no denying the impact of these specific verses.
It changed the landscape of modern spiritual music. It made "simple" okay again. And twenty years later, it’s still doing the heavy lifting in rooms all over the world.
To get the most out of these lyrics, consider reading the full text of Psalm 104 alongside them. You'll see the direct links between the ancient poetry and the modern chorus. For musicians, experiment with different keys—Tomlin usually does it in B or C, but lowering it to A can make it much more "singable" for the average person in the pews. Focusing on the collective voice rather than the lead singer’s performance is the key to making this song truly resonate.