A Guide To How Great Is Our God Sheet Music

Finding appropriate sheet music for worship songs can be challenging at times. You want music that is theologically sound, musically interesting, and at an appropriate skill level for your musicians and congregation.

How Great is Our God checks all those boxes and more, making it a staple of modern worship music. If you’re interested in offering this timeless worship anthem at your church, this guide on How Great is Our God sheet music has everything you need to know.

The Origins and Background of How Great is Our God

The Writers and History Behind the Song

How Great is Our God is a popular Christian worship song written by Chris Tomlin, Jesse Reeves, and Ed Cash in 2004. Chris Tomlin is a worship leader and songwriter known for many hit worship songs. Jesse Reeves is a worship leader and songwriter as well who often collaborates with Tomlin.

Ed Cash is a producer and songwriter who has worked with Tomlin on various albums.

The song first appeared on Tomlin’s 2004 album titled Arriving. It quickly became a popular anthem sung in many churches and youth groups around the world. The lyrics are simple yet powerful, exalting God for His greatness, majesty, and holiness.

The title and chorus became an anthem in many churches declaring the magnificence of God.

The Story and Theology Behind the Lyrics

The lyrics are inspired by the bible verse Isaiah 40:28 which declares “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.”

The song reflects on God’s eternal power and unfathomable wisdom.

The verses beautifully describe God’s greatness in creation, declaring that the heavens can’t contain God’s glory and majesty. The chorus is a triumphant declaration of God’s unmatched greatness and worthiness of our praise.

The bridge lifts up God’s holiness, saying “my heart will sing, how great is our God.”

Its Emergence as a Popular Modern Worship Song

How Great is Our God quickly became immensely popular after its release. It appeared on various Christian music charts, reaching #1 on Billboard’s Hot Christian Songs chart. It also won two Dove awards in 2005 for Worship Song of the Year and Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year.

According to CCLI, it is one of their top ranked songs of the decade from 2000-2010. It has been recorded and sung by Chris Tomlin on several live albums which has increased its global reach and popularity.

It is now sung in churches worldwide and translated into various languages as a global worship anthem.

The song is loved for its powerful lyrics and melodic chorus that lifts up God’s attributes. It resonates with believers as an anthem to proclaim God’s greatness and magnify Him in corporate worship. The global impact and popularity of How Great is Our God has cemented its status as a modern worship classic.

Finding Great Arrangements of How Great is Our God Sheet Music

Matching the Skill Level of Your Musicians

When choosing an arrangement of How Great is Our God, it’s important to consider the skill level of the musicians who will be performing it. Here are some tips for finding a version that fits your ensemble:

• For beginning musicians, look for arrangements that keep the melody simple and don’t have complex rhythms or harmonies. Sticking to the original key of D major would also be advisable.
• Intermediate groups can handle more intricate piano accompaniments and additional instrumental parts like violin obbligatos. Opt for a moderate tempo around 100 bpm.
• Advanced musicians can play full band arrangements with multiple vocal harmonies, key changes, and dynamic variations. Go for a more difficult key like A-flat major to challenge them.

Pay attention to the notation – are there cues for improvisation or suggested fills? Is the sheet music clear and readable for your players? Finding an arrangement at the right level will ensure the best performance.

Choosing the Right Instrumentation

How Great is Our God has been arranged for everything from solo piano to full orchestra. Choose instrumentation that suits your musicians and setting:

• For worship teams, stick with rhythm section + vocals, or add strings/woodwinds for color.
• Acoustic ensembles can use guitar, mandolin, banjo, and harmonica for a folk feel.
• Show choirs will want a powerful piano background and optional soundtracks.
• Look for full scores and parts for praise bands or anthologies for flexible voicing.

Also consider practical needs – are the parts easy to learn and memorize? Do you have mics and amps to reinforce acoustic instruments? Getting the instrumentation right will help the arrangement come alive.

Adapting for Small Groups or Soloists

If you only have a handful of musicians, you can still perform How Great is Our God well. Try these tips for adapting the song:

• Reduce vocal harmonies to just 1 or 2 parts. The melody can be sung alone if needed.
• Cover missing instrument parts by condensing to piano, guitar, and bass. Use simple chord charts.
• Let strong soloists like vocalists or violinists carry the tune when accompaniment is sparse.
• Cut repetitive verses or bridges to shorten the length if you have limited players.

With creativity, you can maintain the epic feel of How Great is Our God even with just a few musicians. Focus on the powerful lyrics and keep the arrangement simple and supportive.

Bringing How Great is Our God to Your Church or Worship Set

Tips for Introducing New Worship Songs

Introducing new worship songs like “How Great is Our God” to your congregation can seem daunting, but with some strategic planning it can be a smooth and uplifting process. Here are some tips:

Preview the song – Play it during sound checks or church services a few weeks before teaching it to get the congregation familiar with the tune.

Use storytelling – Share the song’s backstory and how the lyrics speak to God’s character and work in our lives. This connects people to the meaning.

Involve the worship team – Get the team excited about the song so their passion shines through as they lead.

Simplify arrangements – Don’t overwhelm people learning a new song. Start with just 1 or 2 instruments, then build over time.

Repetition is key – Keep reinforcing the song week after week. Consistent exposure is vital for retention.

Allowing Congregational Singing and Reflection

“How Great is Our God” is a vertical worship song, meaning it’s directed toward God in praise and adoration. Be sure to build moments of reflection into the singing so people can personally connect with the lyrics.

Invite response – After singing a verse or chorus, pause for 10-15 seconds before continuing.

Share testimonies – Have someone briefly share how the song resonates for them or stirs their heart.

Allow acapella singing – Sing the song without instruments periodically to let the words sink in.

Suggest prayer topics – Guide people’s reflections by highlighting specific lines or themes that could prompt prayer.

Use art – Display related Scripture verses, images, quotes, or nature photography on screens to aid reflection.

Pairing the Song Effectively with Other Parts of the Service

Strategically coordinate “How Great is Our God” with the rest of your service to reinforce key themes and create a cohesive flow.

Match the sermon topic – If preaching on God’s majesty or faithfulness, this song offers perfect support.

Follow confession/assurance – Sing in response to receiving grace and forgiveness.

Lead into Communion or Baptism – Remind people of God’s greatness before sacramental acts.

Set the tone for prayer – Use as a launchpad for corporate prayer time.

Open the service – Start things powerfully by proclaiming who our God is.

Close the service – Send people out celebrating divine glory and goodness.

Conclusion

With its epic melody and deeply worshipful lyrics, How Great is Our God continues to powerfully lead congregations into the throne room of God. By properly introducing the song and choosing accessible sheet music arrangements, you can unleash the full potential of this modern worship anthem in your church.

Equipping yourself with this background and these practical tips will help make it a deeply meaningful part of your worship set that draws people closer to God.