The song is written in the key of C major, with a moderate tempo of 96 beats per minute (BPM). The chord progression is a simple, yet effective, progression that follows a I-V-vi-IV pattern:
[Chorus] G - Am - F - C How great is our God, sing with me G - Am - F - C How great is our God, and all will see G - F - C How great, how great, our God
Music educators have adopted the sheet music for sight-reading and contemporary ensemble classes. Its predictable harmonic structure (diatonic chords, no modulations) makes it ideal for teaching:
[Verse 1] C - G - Am - F The splendor of a king, clothed in majesty C - G - F - C Let all the earth rejoice, all the earth rejoice C - G - Am - F He wraps himself in light, and darkness tries to hide C - G - F - C And trembles at his voice, trembles at his voice