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This month, we examine the power of spiritual lyrics. As we continue our look at “the story behind the song” it is clear that understanding the circumstances under which a hymn was written provides a deeper understanding of its meaning, especially in timeless, moving hymns like “It Is Well with My Soul.”
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.
The only hymn ever written by Horatio Spafford, it was created from unimaginable tragedy. Spafford was a successful attorney in Chicago with a large family. Then his life took a turn for the worse. Horatio and his wife Anna lost their young son to a fever. Then the great Chicago fire destroyed almost all his real estate holdings. Spafford planned a trip to Europe for a vacation, but he was called away at the last minute. He sent his family ahead, planning to take the next ship. During the voyage, a freighter broadsided the ship in the night, causing it to sink. Spafford received a cable from his wife, “Ship sunk. Lone survivor.”
On the long trip to meet his devastated wife, the captain slowed the ship and brought him out on deck to see where his daughters had perished. He returned to his cabin, sat down and wrote the words, “When sorrow like sea billows roll; it is well, it is well with my soul.”
From this one man’s tragedy was born a hymn that has provided comfort to so many.
To God Be The Glory for Horatio Spafford’s poignant, heartfelt words penned in poem and song. Spafford’s strong faith through these lyrics pushes past the why and chooses to believe in God’s sovereign will.
Sister Cathy Black
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