Many hymns and songs were born from human experience, and sometimes tragedy; When peace like a river is such a hymn. Spafford was married and had four daughters, all six of them knew Jesus as their Saviour. Spafford himself was a lawyer by profession in the USA. In 1873 he bid farewell to his wife and daughters as they sailed to Europe to see relatives. Some days later the ship was involved in mid- Atlantic collision; Mrs Spafford was rescued, but the daughters were not. On reaching shore she sent a message to her husband with the words “SAVED ALONE”. Mr. Spafford was devastated and left for England to be with his wife. Moody and Sankey, who were in Edinburgh at the time, on hearing the news went to comfort their friends, and found the Spaffords saying in their sorrow: It is well; the will of God be done. Three years later Safford penned these words in memory of his daughters. The familiar tune to this hymn was written by Philip Bliss.
1.
When peace like a river attendeth my way,
When sorrows , like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to know,
“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.
2.
Though Satan should buffet, if trials should come,
Let this blessed assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
refrain
It is well … with my soul…
It is well, it is well with my soul.
3.
My sin — oh, the bliss of this glorious thought —
My sin — not in part, but the whole
Is nailed to His cross; and I bear it no more:
Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord, O my soul.
refrain
It is well … with my soul…
It is well, it is well with my soul.
4.
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.
refrain
It is well … with my soul…
It is well, it is well with my soul.
5.
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.
refrain
It is well … with my soul…
It is well, it is well with my soul.
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