Hymn Appreciation: It Is Well With My Soul

Horatio G. Spafford was an attorney in Chicago during 1870's and he was a devout Christian. Many of his friends were men like D. L. Moody and Ira Sankey. Mr. Spafford and his wife Anna learned what it meant to completely trust God in every situation. Through one of these heartbreaking situations came the beautiful words It is Well with My Soul.

It is Well with My Soul

The first situation for the Spaffords to rely on God was when their precious son died. Then in 1871 most of their personal property was destroyed in the great Chicago fire. But their greatest testing came in 1874. Mrs. Spafford and their four daughters boarded a ship on their way to England. But just off the coast of Ireland the ship collided with another ship and sank with 226 people losing their lives. When Horatio finally received a cable sent by his wife it read "saved alone", their four precious daughters had drowned.

While on board the ship traveling to be with his wife, Mr. Spafford was called by the captain where he was told they were in the area where the ship had sunk. It is here where the words to the hymn It Is Well with My Soul were written.

Horatio and Anna believed God to give them the strength they needed and that All things work together for good to them that love the Lord. Romans 8:28

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."

Though Satan should buffet, tho' 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,I
s nailed to the cross and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul.

And, Lord haste the day when the 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.

Chorus:

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