It Is Well

The story behind this hymn breaks my heart. The Presbyterian lawyer, Horatio Spafford, wrote this hymn while going through a time of great tragedy in his life. He'd lost a lot of his real estate during a fire in Chicago and before the fire, he lost his son. He then sent his wife and four daughters to Great Britain, where he would soon follow. The boat sank and his wife was the only survivor. His wife sent word back that she was "saved alone". As he was passing over the place where his daughters had died he wrote the words to this hymn.


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 has regarded my helpless estate,
and hath shed his own blood for my soul.

It is well, it is well with 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!

It is well, it is well with 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,
even so, it is well with my soul.

It is well, it is well with my soul.

This time of year marks the death of my father. Oh how I miss him, but I know that my only comfort and hope in this life is Christ. It is well with my soul.