How Great Thou Art was written in 1886 by a Swedish minister, Rev. Carl Boberg, using the title O Store God (Oh Great God). It was translated into German in 1907 under the title Wie Gross Bist Du (How Great Thou Art). English missionary Rev. Stuart K. Hine found a Russian version of the song while in the Ukraine and translated it into English. Hine added a fourth verse in 1948. George Beverly Shea had a popular recording of How Great Thou Art (RCA 47-6068) in 1955, as did the Blackwood Brothers (RCA 47-7130) in late 1957. The Jordanaires sang the hymn at a March 1963 memorial service for Patsy Cline, Hawkshaw Hawkins, and Cowboy Copas at the Grand Ole Opry.

Elvis recorded How Great Thou Art on May 25, 1966, at RCA's Nashville studios. His single release three years later did not chart. However, a live version from the 1974 album Elvis Recorded Live on Stage in Memphis won Elvis his third and final Grammy Award for Best Inspirational Performance. Another live version, this one from Omaha, Nebraska, on June 19, 1977, was used on the 1977 CBS-TV Special Elvis In Concert.