The year had been filled with tragedy when Horatio Spafford, a forty-three-year-old Chicago businessman, penned this hymn. He and his wife were still grieving over the death of their son when the Great Chicago Fire struck and caused them financial disaster. He realized that his family needed to get away, so that fall he decided to take his wife and four daughters to England. His wife and daughters went ahead on the SS Ville du Havre; he planned to follow in a few days. But on the Atlantic the Ville du Havre was struck by another ship and sank within twelve minutes. More than two hundred lives were lost, including the Spaffords’ four daughters. When the survivors were brought to shore at Cardiff, Wales, Mrs. Spafford cabled her husband with the words, “Saved alone.” He booked passage on the next ship. It was while crossing the Atlantic that Spafford penned the words to the hymn: “When sorrows like sea-billows roll . . . / ‘It is well, it is well with my soul.’ ” Scriptures: Psalm 31:14; Psalm 46:1; Romans 5:2-4; 1 Peter 4:19 Themes: Assurance, Comfort, Hope, Peace 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.” It is well with my soul, It is well, it is well with my soul.
The Complete Book of Hymns: Inspiring Stories about 600 Hymns and Praise Songs by William Petersen, Ardythe Petersen
This is one of my favorites, I didn’t know the story behind the song. Now when I hear it – it will touch my soul with a new meaning. Thank you for sharing.