IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL

Posted on 11:46 AM by Mathew Palathunakal


It must have been with quivering hands and tear-filled eyes that Horatio Spafford, an acquaintance of D. L. Moody, read the telegram from his wife. The telegram contained only 2 words. It reads, "Saved alone."


Mrs. Spafford and their 4 children had set sail from New York to France on the S.S.Ville Du Haure, one of the most luxurious ships afloat. On November 22, 1873, only a few days out of New York, the liner was rammed by an English sailing vessel. In 2 hours the luxury vessel sank.

226 people drowned, including the 4 Spafford children. Previous to this several traumatic events happened in Spafford’s life. The first was the death of his only son in 1871, shortly followed by the great Chicago Fire which ruined him financially (he had been a successful lawyer).

At once, Mr. Spafford booked passage to join his wife in France. Notified by the captain when passing over the spot where the liner had gone down with his children abroad, Spafford found himself restless and unable to sleep.

And then, amidst his internal raging storm, as memories of his four daughters and grieving wife filled his soul, a loving Heavenly Father quieted His child's troubled heart.

As Spafford sat in his cabin and felt the gentle roll of the ship, he penned these immortal words:

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, 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,
Even so, it is well with my soul.


When reunited with his wife several weeks later, Spafford remarked, "I have not lost my children. We are only separated for a little time."

Music was later added to Spafford's poem by his friend Philip Bliss, and "It is well with my soul" was born. It has encouraged millions of God's children during the storms of life for more than 135 years.

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