It Is Well With My Soul – The Story Behind The Hymn

“It Is Well with My Soul” is a powerful and touching hymn in Christian history. It was written by Horatio Spafford after he experienced great emotional loss. The hymn shows a strong feeling of peace and trust in God, even during tough times of sadness. Here’s the background of the hymn.

The Story Behind the Hymn: Horatio Spafford was a wealthy lawyer and businessman in Chicago during the 1800s. He went through many really tough events:
1. Financial Ruin: In 1871, Spafford lost much of his wealth in the Great Chicago Fire.
2. Family Tragedy: In 1873, he organized a trip to Europe with his wife, Anna, and their four girls. Spafford had to stay behind for work, so he sent his family ahead on the ship ‘SS Ville du Havre’. Sadly, the ship crashed into another boat and sank, resulting in the deaths of all four of Spafford’s girls. Anna survived and sent him a message saying, “I am saved, but alone.”
3. Personal Grief: While Spafford was sailing to be with his heartbroken wife, he passed the area where his girls had died. During this journey, he wrote the lyrics to “It Is Well with My Soul,” showing his faith in God even after experiencing great loss.

It-Is-Well-With-My-Soul-Hymn-Lyrics/

The hymn was later put to music by Philip Bliss, a popular gospel musician, and has since provided comfort and inspiration to many people going through tough times.

Main ideas of the hymn:
Peace in Suffering: The hymn recognizes the pain and sadness people feel but emphasizes that true peace comes from believing in God’s control.
Redemption through Christ: It highlights the hope and confidence we gain from Christ’s suffering on the cross.
Eternal Hope: The last line talks about the return of Christ and the complete realization of faith.

“It Is Well with My Soul” is a lasting hymn about faith, strength, and hope. It is usually sung at funerals, during times of personal loss, or when reflecting on God’s faithfulness. Its message still connects with Christians everywhere, providing comfort and strength during tough times.