It Is Well With My Soul

Words: Horatio Gates Spafford, 1873.

This hymn was written after two major traumas in Spafford's life. The first was the great Chicago fire of October 1871, which ruined him financially (he had been a wealthy businessman). Shortly thereafter, while crossing the Atlantic, all four of Spafford's daughters died in a collision with another ship. Spafford's wife Anna survived and sent him the now famous telegram, "Saved alone." Several weeks later, as Spafford's own ship passed 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 here on earth.

Music:   "Ville de Havre," Philip Paul Bliss, 1876 
The tune is named after the ship on which Spafford's children perished, the S.S. Ville de Havre.
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 1.  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.

 2.  Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
     Let this blessed assurance control,
     That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
     And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

   Refrain

 3.  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

 4.  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  

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