We are in the midst of a late October storm and whenever it turns gray and rainy outside I always seem to sing hymns. Not sure why this is the case, but the one in my mind is, "It Is Well With My Soul".
When I was in college we had a song leader that would give the history behind some of the hymns before we sang them and I learned quite a bit about some of our hymns because of that and I appreciated them so much more.
This one was written by Horatio Spafford after he suffered a great financial loss during the Great Chicago Fire and shortly after losing all four of his daughters at sea when their vessel struck another and swiftly sank. You can read his story here.
Composed by Philip Bliss the song is beautifully arranged and conveys such peace in knowing that this is not the end for us, no matter what happens in this world, we have the saving Grace of Christ and He will one day return for us in Glory!
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".
