Horatio Spafford penned this hymn after tragedy struck in his life. First, the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, ruined this formerly successful lawyer financially. In 1873 the economic down turn continued to cause him issue, he planned to travel to Europe with his family on the SS Ville Du Havre. In a late change of plans, he sent his family ahead while he remained to deal with zoning issues as a result of the fire in Chicago. While crossing the Atlantic, the ship his family was traveling on struck the ship named the "Loch Earn" and the SS Ville Du Havre sank killing all four of Spafford's daughters. His wife, Anna, sent the famous telegram, "Saved alone....". While traveling to meet his wife aboard another ship, as Spafford passed by the area where his daughters died, he penned this hymn....
It Is Well With My Soul
(Original lyrics)[1]
When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to know,a
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Refrain:
It is well, (it is well),
With my soul, (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:
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!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul.
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,
A song in the night, oh my soul! b
a "know" (at the end of the third line) was changed to "say".
b "A song in the night, oh my soul" (last line)
was changed to "Even so, it is well with my soul".
Psalm 62:5 King James Version (KJV)5 My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.
Jesus is an ever present help in time of trouble. He provides the peace that truly passes human understanding. In the midst of triumph or tragedy, all praise, all glory and all honor belongs to God. It is good to be reminded that no matter what problems I face in my life, someone else is facing tougher problems. No matter the issue, God has everything under control. I am alive because of Him and because of Him.... It is well with my soul.
Be blessed In Jesus Name!
Pastor Pilcher
It Is Well With My Soul
(Original lyrics)[1]
When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to know,a
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Refrain:
It is well, (it is well),
With my soul, (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:
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!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul.
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,
A song in the night, oh my soul! b
a "know" (at the end of the third line) was changed to "say".
b "A song in the night, oh my soul" (last line)
was changed to "Even so, it is well with my soul".
Psalm 62:5 King James Version (KJV)5 My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.
Jesus is an ever present help in time of trouble. He provides the peace that truly passes human understanding. In the midst of triumph or tragedy, all praise, all glory and all honor belongs to God. It is good to be reminded that no matter what problems I face in my life, someone else is facing tougher problems. No matter the issue, God has everything under control. I am alive because of Him and because of Him.... It is well with my soul.
Be blessed In Jesus Name!
Pastor Pilcher
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