I love to sing, even though I can't, especially in church. We sang this song yesterday. I remembered that this song had a 'history' to it, but I had forgotten it, so I looked it up.
"It Is Well with My Soul" hymn written by Horatio Spafford. It was written after two major traumas in Spafford’s life. The first was the death of his only son, shortly followed by the great Chicago Fire of October 1871, which ruined him financially (he had been a wealthy businessman).
After about two years of such work, in 1873, Spafford and his family decided to take a vacation. Horatio was delayed by some business, but sent his family on ahead. He would catch up to them on the other side of the Atlantic.Their ship never made it. Off Newfoundland, it collided with an English sailing ship and sank within 20 minutes. Though Horatio's wife, Anna, was able to cling to a piece of floating wreckage (one of only 47 survivors among hundreds), their four daughters--Maggie, Tanetta, Annie, and Bessie--were killed. Horatio received a horrible telegram from his wife, only two words long: "saved alone."
Spafford boarded the next available ship to be near his grieving wife, and the two finally met up with a friend. "It is well," Spafford told him quietly. "The will of God be done."
Several weeks later, as Spafford’s own ship passed near the spot where his daughters died, the Holy Spirit inspired these words. They speak to the eternal hope that all believers have, no matter what pain and grief befall them on earth.
"It Is Well with My Soul" hymn written by Horatio Spafford. It was written after two major traumas in Spafford’s life. The first was the death of his only son, shortly followed by the great Chicago Fire of October 1871, which ruined him financially (he had been a wealthy businessman).
After about two years of such work, in 1873, Spafford and his family decided to take a vacation. Horatio was delayed by some business, but sent his family on ahead. He would catch up to them on the other side of the Atlantic.Their ship never made it. Off Newfoundland, it collided with an English sailing ship and sank within 20 minutes. Though Horatio's wife, Anna, was able to cling to a piece of floating wreckage (one of only 47 survivors among hundreds), their four daughters--Maggie, Tanetta, Annie, and Bessie--were killed. Horatio received a horrible telegram from his wife, only two words long: "saved alone."
Spafford boarded the next available ship to be near his grieving wife, and the two finally met up with a friend. "It is well," Spafford told him quietly. "The will of God be done."
Several weeks later, as Spafford’s own ship passed near the spot where his daughters died, the Holy Spirit inspired these words. They speak to the eternal hope that all believers have, no matter what pain and grief befall them on earth.
Lyrics ~ Peace Like a River (to listen)
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.
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 hath regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
It is well...with my soul... It is well, it is well, with my soul...
He lives--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, Oh my soul.
It is well...with my soul... It is well, it is well, with my soul...
And, Lord, haste the day when our faith shall be sight
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll,
The trumpet shall sound, and the Lord shall descend;
Even so, it is well with my soul...
It is well...with my soul... It is well, it is well, with my soul...
~~Horatio Gates Spafford [1873]
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