“It is Well With My Soul” is a hymn that has been well-known and beloved for many years. In fact, it’s one of my personal favorites (though I do have quite a few “personal favorites”). The lyrics were written by Horatio G. Spafford, and the music was composed by Philip Bliss.

Today, I’d like to share with you the incredible story behind this hymn. If you’ve never heard this story before, be prepared to never look at “It is Well With My Soul” the same way again.

Horatio Spafford was an attorney and investor who lived in America during the 1800s. While he became successful in his career, he lost much of his fortune in the Chicago Fire in 1871. As a double blow, his son—only four years old at the time—came down with scarlet fever about the same time. Sadly, the fever was too much for the little boy, and he died soon after.

The shock and loss of these two tragedies had an effect on Horatio and his family for a long time. At last, deciding that they needed a change of scenery, he sent his wife and four daughters to England on a ship. Horatio planned to join them there later after finishing up some business matters in America.

Then came the news that the ship to England had met with an accident, resulting in the deaths of many of the passengers. Shortly after, Horatio received a telegram from his wife, which began, “Saved alone.” All four of their daughters had perished in the accident.

Grief-stricken, Horatio boarded another ship to meet his wife in England. On the way, the ship passed over the very spot where the shipwreck had occurred, and the captain called Horatio from his cabin to inform him of this fact.

Staring into the very waters in which his beloved daughters had met their deaths, Horatio was reminded of God’s comfort in trying times. And before the voyage was over, he had penned the words to “It is Well With My Soul.”

This story is a reminder of how we as writers can use our life experiences—good or bad—to craft a beautiful piece of writing. No matter what we may have gone through, we can take what God has given us and tell a story of His unfailing, amazing character.

By clicking here, you can listen to the tune of this song on Hymnary, and here is a link to a beautiful a cappella arrangement by Ben Everson.

And now, here are the lyrics for this hymn:

It is Well With My Soul

Verse 1:

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.”

Chorus:

It is well with my soul;
It is well, it is well with my soul.

Verse 2:

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control:
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And has shed his own blood for my soul.

Verse 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!

Verse 4:

O 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.

If you have a Hymn of the Month suggestion, put it in the comments below!