EnHymn – Hymn History: It is Well With My Soul

“It Is Well with My Soul”
Horatio G. Spafford

 

Leading Up to the Hymn: Horatio G. Spafford’s Life

“It is Well With My Soul” was written by Horatio G. Spafford (1828-1888), who was, at the time, a young businessman from Chicago.

 

Despite his reputation and wealth, he couldn’t prevent the back-to-back losses of his son to tragedy and his entire real estate business soon after to the great Chicago Fire of 1871.

 

As you can imagine, this kind of earthly trial was exhausting, not just for Spafford, but for his whole family. So, to help lift their spirits as well as his own, Spafford planned a European trip for himself, his wife and his four daughters.

 

Tragedy Strikes for the Hymnist

Everything was set, but due to some unexpected last-minute business, he stayed in Chicago and sent his family on ahead. He was to follow them in a few days, and he would meet them on the mainland.

 

Not long into their voyage, the family’s ship was struck by another vessel. It sank in twelve minutes. The survivors were rescued and brought to the European shore, which is where Mrs. Spafford sent a message to her husband.

 

It read “Saved alone.”

 

Writing of the Hymn “It is Well With My Soul”

Spafford left immediately to join his wife and penned this hymn over the area where the ship carrying his daughters had sunk.

 

It went like this:

 

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.

 

Self Reflection on Spafford and “It is Well With My Soul”

I want you to take a second and put yourself in the man’s shoes.

 

How would you feel? – What would you be thinking? Take a moment and share your thoughts in the comments if you’re feeling led to.

 

For me, I see that what was supposed to be a grieving trip over the loss of a son and a getaway from the loss of a fortune turned a horrible situation into an unthinkable one.

 

I can’t imagine the pain, the hurt that man and his wife must have felt. Then to be able to cross over the spot where his little girls perished, and to look up to heaven and say “whatever my lot, good, bad, peace, sorrow, fortune, poverty, I’m going to keep on trusting in you.”

 

This really reminds me of the story of Job, but also of Jeremiah, whose prayers often went a little like this:

 

“Even though I’m in the dungeon, even though I’m at the bottom looking up, I’m trusting in you. I trust that even though I can’t pray now in joy and thankfulness, I’m praying for the time when I can.”

 

“It is Well With My Soul” – Still Relevant!

This hymn text is as relevant today as it was all those years ago, and I know that we will all continue to be inspired by it.

 

If you liked this Hymn History, maybe you’d like reading the story behind some other hymns, like the Hymn History “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing.”

 

Is there a hymn that’s special to you that you want to know more about or one that has a cool story that needs telling? – Jump over to the EnHymn YouTube page and comment the name of the hymn and maybe I’ll do a Hymn History on it in the future.

 

And don’t forget to like the video and share it with anyone who you think would appreciate the History behind this hymn.

 

Well, that’s all for now. And until next time – Go in Peace.