It is Well with My Soul

When peace like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll;

Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,

It is well, it is well, with my soul.

In 1871 Horatio Spafford’s only son died.

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.

That same year The Great Chicago Fire ruined him financially.

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!

In 1873 the Spafford’s planned a trip to Europe and when Horatio was delayed on business he sent his wife and four daughters ahead of him on the S.S. Ville du Harve. Tragedy struck again when the ship sank rapidly after a collision with the Loch Earn.

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.

Horatio eventually received the now famous telegram from his wife Anna that read, “Saved alone.” Only Anna had survived.

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!

Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul.

While in route to meet his grieving bride his ship passed near where his four daughters had just died.

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.

In the midst of unimaginable pain Horatio Spafford penned the lyrics to this beloved hymn.

Refrain:

It is well, with my soul,

It is well, with my soul,

It is well, it is well, with my soul.

I pray that like Horatio Spafford, we're all able to not let our circumstances, good or bad, dictate our view of life or God.

See the Manuscript