The Story Behind ‘It Is Well with My Soul’

On this day in history

November 22, 1873:

The SS Ville du Havre sinks in the North Atlantic, killing all four daughters of Chicago lawyer Horatio G. Spafford. His wife survived, and Spafford immediately booked passage to join her in England. While passing over the spot where his daughters died, he began writing what would become the famous hymn “It Is Well with My Soul.

Here’s the rest of the story:

It’s a Faithful Testimony

How many times have you sung this hymn, and it touched your soul?

There’s a reason for that. It was etched in the heartbroken soul of a father and the enduring love of his God. I can’t even imagine how I would feel after having lost the way Mr. Haratio G. Spafford did.

I hope Horatio’s faith encourages you as much as it encouraged me. We worship the same God he did and I hope you can say with him, “It is well with my soul.”

A Trusted Faith

Horatio Gates Spafford was a successful lawyer and real estate investor in Chicago, but he was best known for his strong Christian faith. Profound tragedy tested his faith.

• In 1870, he lost his four-year-old son to scarlet fever.
• In 1871, his real estate investments were wiped out by the Great Chicago Fire that devastated the entire city. He became financially ruined.

A tested Faith

By 1873, he sought peace for his family and planned a trip to Europe. He couldn’t follow his family right away because of last-minute business obligations, so he sent his wife, Anna, and his four daughters ahead of him on the S.S. Ville du Havre.

On this day in history, in the middle of the Atlantic, the SS Ville du Havre collided with the British ship Loch Earn. In 12 minutes, the entire ship sank. Of the 225 people on board, only 61 passengers and 26 crew members survived.

Anna survived. She sent her husband a telegram that read. “Saved alone.”

A Steady Faith

A lesser man would have had a nervous breakdown or more. After receiving the news, he immediately traveled to meet Anna. As they journeyed, the ship passed near the spot where his daughters drowned, and his grief inspired him to write the hymn, It is Well with My Soul.

I’ve listed the lyrics of the song below. Read it or sing it, and as you do, notice the enduring faith and confidence Horatio had in his and our God.

May it teach us the value of accepting God’s sovereign will despite our sorrow and grief. If you have time, you might want to watch this video before reading the lyrics to the song below.

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.

Refrain: It is well 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 hath 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!

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:

If Jordan above me shall roll,

No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life

Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,

The sky, not the grave, is our goal;

Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!

Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!

And Lord, haste the day when the 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.