One of my favorite hymns is "It is Well with My Soul" by Horatio G. Spafford. One day I was feeling alittle out of sorts, so I went online to find the words to this song to inspire me. Well, as I was looking I came across the story of Mr. Spafford and thought it was interesting at the point in his life in which he wrote this song. I now have a new appreciation for the words. Anyway, I was feeling pretty good today but there maybe someone who needs encouraging. So here is a brief history of Horatio Spafford and the Words to the song, "It is Well with My Soul!"
This hymn was written following a series of major traumatic events in the life of Horatio G. Spafford. The first was the death of his son. Shortly after the death of his son came the great Chicago fire of October 1871. Spafford had invested heavily in real estate along the shores of Lake Michigan and his holdings were wiped out by this disaster. Feeling a need for a vacation for his family and desiring to join his friends D. L. Moody and Ira Sankey in an evangelistic campaign in Great Britain, Spafford planned a European trip for his family in 1873. Due to a last minute business development, he remained in Chicago and sent his wife and four daughters ahead on the S. S. Ville du Havere. His plan was to join them a few days later. While crossing the Atlantic, their ship was struck by another ship and sank in a matter of minutes. All four of Spafford’s daughters died in the tragic accident. Spafford’s wife Anna survived and sent him the now famous telegram, “Saved alone.” Several weeks later, as Spafford’s own ship passed near the spot where his daughters died, the Holy Spirit inspired him to write the words to this beautiful hymn. They speak to the eternal hope that all believers have, no matter what pain and grief may befall them on earth.
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Refrain
It is well, with my soul,It is well, with my soul,It is well, it is well, with my soul.
It is well, with my soul,It is well, with my soul,It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.
But, Lord, ‘tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh trump of the angel! Oh voice of the Lord!
Blessèd hope, blessèd rest of my soul!
And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.
Comments