It Is Well With My Soul

This heart-stirring hymn has been my ultimate favorite song throughout the years. When I'm excited, thoughful, sad and burdened, I play this song on the piano and sing the words aloud.

The story behind this song is incredibly saddening, but also very empowering to read of the strength of the Spafford family.

This hymn was written after many traumatic events in Spafford's life. The first was the death of his only son at the age of four by scarlet fever. Shortly after that the great Chicago Fire took place and ruined him financially - he had been a very successful lawyer.

Then in 1873 Horatio Spafford planned on traveling to Europe with his family on the SS 'Ville du Havre', but sent his family ahead since he was delayed by business.

While crossing the Atlantic, the ship that his family was on sank rapidly after a collision with a sea vessel called the 'Loch Earn'. All four of Spafford's daughters perished while his wife, Anna, was saved by a plank which floated beneath her unconscious body and propped her up. She sent Horatio the now famous telegram, "Saved alone..."

Shortly afterwards, Spafford boarded the next ship out of New York to meet his grieving wife. During his voyage, the captain of the ship had called him to the bridge. "A careful reckoning has been made", he said, "and I believe we are now passing the place where the de Havre was wrecked. The water is three miles deep." Horatio Spafford then returned to his cabin and was inspired to write the lyrics of his great hymn.

It would be extremely difficult to predict how we would react under circumstances similar to those experienced by Horatio Spafford and his wife, but we do know that God who sustained them would also be with us and keep us in the palm of His hand.

No matter what difficulties overtake us may we be able to say with Horatio Spafford...

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.

Tho Satan should buffet, tho trials should come,

Let this blest assurance control,

That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,

And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

My sin - O the bliss of this glorious tho't-

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!

And, Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,

The clouds be rolled back as a scroll:

The trump shall re-sound and the Lord shall descend,

"Even so" - it is well with my soul.

Chorus:

It is well (it is well)

With my soul, (with my soul,)

It is well, it is well with my soul.

Horatio G. Spafford

1828-1888