It Is Well With My Soul

This hymn was written by Horratio Spafford (1828-1888) [a successful lawyer in New York] in 1873.


He experienced the death of his only son in 1871.

A short time later, the Great Chicago Fire wiped out greatly his financial holdings. Two years later, in 1873, Spafford decided to take a vacation with his wife and four daughters to Europe. A last minute business transaction delayed Spafford. Nevertheless, he sent his wife and daughters to the S.S. Ville du Havre as scheduled.

The ship had a collision on November 22 with another ship, the Scottish Loch Earn.

The ship sank in 12 minutes. 226 people lost their lives that day.

His wife Anna was rescued and brought to Cardiff, Wales. She telegrammed her husband, "Saved alone. What shall I do...?" Spafford immediately left Chicago to be with Anna. As he was journeying to England, the ship he was on passed where the S.S. Ville du Havre had sunk, the place where his four daughters had perished.

He was then inspired to pen the hymn It Is Well With My Soul.

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Refrain

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 has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

Refrain

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!

Refrain

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.

Refrain

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!
Blessèd hope, blessèd rest of my soul!

Refrain

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.

Refrain

Spafford and his wife later had three more children and traveled to Jerusalem to help the community there.