O God Beautiful is a chant by Guru Nanak, the fifteenth-century Sikh guru. Commonly played and familiar to most devotees, it is straightforward rhythmically, with a steady 4/4 time signature and a symmetrical song form. Its challenges include a wide vocal range and several sections of lyrics to memorize. The verses have different lyrics and slight melodic variations, so their melodies are similar but not identical.

Song Form

A O God beautiful, O God beautiful, x2

B At Thy feet, O I do bow! x2

A x2

C In the forest Thou art green; x2

D In the mountain Thou art high; x2

E In the river Thou art restless; x2

F In the ocean Thou art grave. x2

A, B x2 each

A x2

C′ To the serviceful Thou art service; x2

D′ To the lover Thou art love; x2

E′ To the sorrowful Thou art sympathy; x2

F′ To the yogi Thou art bliss. x2

A, B x2 each

Notes

• A suitable sequence is to play the full song form at least two or three times, then loop A and B together for a while without returning to the verses.

• To end, repeat only A several times while getting quieter.

Listen to SRF Recordings

Videos on YouTube

• 2025 Convocation Monks' Kirtan (Bro. Devananda)

• O God Beautiful (Sankirtan led by SRF Nuns)

• O God Beautiful (YSS monastics), sung as "Hay Hari Sundar"

• 2020 Convocation YSS Monks' Kirtan at Smriti Mandir

• 2025 Convocation Nuns' Kirtan (90-minute)

• 2023 Convocation Monks' Kirtan (3-hour)

Audio Recordings

• O God Beautiful (Paramahansa Yogananda), from the album Songs of My Heart
  Spotify · Apple Music · Tidal

• O God Beautiful (instrumental), from the album The Divine Gypsy
  Spotify · Apple Music · Tidal

• O God Beautiful (instrumental), from the album I Am the Sky
  Spotify · Apple Music · Tidal

• He Hari Sundara (Paramahansa Yogananda), from the album Songs of My Heart
  Spotify · Apple Music · Tidal

• Polestar of My Life - O God Beautiful (Sr. Ishwari), from the album When My Dream's Dream is Done
  Spotify · Apple Music · Tidal

More from SRF

• In 2026, Self-Realization Fellowship presented “The Divine Art of Music” at Carnegie Hall, marking 100 years since Paramahansa Yogananda introduced devotional chanting there — the occasion he describes in connection with this chant. The official program page is “The Divine Art of Music” — 100th anniversary. The program is also on the official SRF YouTube channel.