Worship

Cherishing Hymns in Corporate Worship

February’s hymn is “It Is Well with My Soul.”

The Story behind the Hymn
"It Is Well with My Soul" is one of the most treasured hymns in the English language, perhaps owing as much to the story behind the hymn as to words themselves. Horatio Spafford was an American businessman who knew the challenges (and joys) of walking with God despite trials throughout his life. His only son died of illness in 1871. He was ruined financially as a result of the great Chicago fire of that same year. Then, two years later, Spafford arranged to take his wife and four daughters on a holiday to England. He sent them on ahead, having to stay behind a couple of days to take care of some business matters. Their ship went down crossing the Atlantic. Only Spafford's wife Anna survived. In the days following the terrible news of his daughters' deaths, he wrote these words of faith and hope. (Sources: NetHymnal & Wikipedia)

It Is Well with My Soul
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

It is well (It is well)
with my soul (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!

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.

Horatio G. Spafford, 1873