My favorite song is, "It Is Well With My Soul" and I want to tell you the story behind how it was written. (The 'Selah' performance of it is on my page. The first part is an African melody which is not part of this hymn.)
Horatio G. Spafford was a successful lawyer in Chicago in the mid-1800's. His real estate holdings were wiped out by the Chicago Fire of 1871, but he still maintained a deep spiritual devotion.
In 1873, Spafford planned a European trip with his family. Due to unexpected last-minute business developments he had to remain in Chicago, but sent his wife and four daughters on ahead as scheduled, planning to follow in a few days.
On November 22nd their ship was struck by another vessel and sank in twelve minutes. All four girls drowned, only the wife surviving.
When Spafford made the trip to join his bereaved wife, he was told when they arrived at the place in the ocean where the accident occurred. He penned this text whose words so significantly describe his own personal grief - "When sorrows like sea billows roll..." The hymn does not dwell on the theme of life's sorrows, however. It goes on to talk about redemption through Christ and His glorious Second Coming.
It is amazing that one could experience such personal tragedies and sorrows as Horatio Spafford did and still be able to say with such convincing clarity, "It Is Well With My Soul."
Verse one says:
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.
Tags: Music Soul Inspirational Christian
