The Story Behind It Is Well

Overview: The Story Behind "It Is Well"

"It Is Well" was written by Horatio Spafford, in 1873, following the tragic death of his children, and these words echo a peace that only faith can provide. What an extraordinary comfort to proclaim, amidst the deepest depths of despair, "It is well with my soul!"

In this blog, we will explore the story behind "It Is Well," look into the meaning of its verses, and reflect on how its message can be applied in our lives. And for those of you who, like me, appreciate tangible reminders of God’s constant presence, I invite you to explore our Hymns Christian Wall Art Collection, featuring inspiring pieces like the "It Is Well Wall Art."

A Brief History Of Horatio Spafford And Why He Wrote "It Is Well"

Horatio Spafford was born on October 20, 1828, in Troy, New York. He grew up to be a successful lawyer as well as a senior partner in a thriving law firm in Chicago, deeply involved in real estate. Beyond his professional life, Spafford was known for his strong faith and active involvement in the Presbyterian Church, where he was a close friend of the evangelist Dwight L. Moody.

Spafford's life, however, was marked by a series of tragedies that tested his faith deeply. In 1871, he suffered financial ruin after the Great Chicago Fire devastated a significant portion of his investments in the city. But it was in November 1873 that the most heart-wrenching event occurred: while crossing the Atlantic on the French ship Ville du Havre, Spafford's four daughters drowned after their ship collided with another vessel and sank rapidly. His wife, Anna, survived the disaster and sent him a telegram from England with words, "Saved alone." 

Upon hearing of this news he boarded a ship to join his grieving wife. As he traveled near the waters where his daughters had perished, the depth of his faith and sorrow coalesced into the words of "It Is Well." This hymn was his response to the calamity, reflecting his unwavering trust in God despite such overwhelming loss. The melody for "It Is Well," named "Ville du Havre" after the ill-fated ship, was composed by Philip Bliss, a well-known figure in gospel music and a friend of Spafford. 

The Meaning Behind the Verses of "It Is Well"

Verse 1:

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.

Sometimes, it can be incredibly difficult to feel joy when we are engulfed by challenges and grief. However, by remembering what Jesus achieved on the cross, that He secured our salvation and restored our souls, we find a reason to rejoice. Even in the gravest of trials, this truth can be our greatest joy. Through this hymn, Spafford invites us to grasp this profound joy and proclaim, with a reassured heart, that indeed, "It is well with my soul."

Verse 2:

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.

In this verse, Horatio recognizes the relentless assaults of Satan, and he responds by reminding us of the rescue Jesus provided in our most helpless state regarding our sin. He encourages us to take heart in the comfort that Jesus redeemed us by sacrificing His own life. If He willingly died for us at a time when we were utterly incapable of saving ourselves from our sins, then surely we can trust Him to guide and protect us through whatever challenges we face now.

Verse 3:

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, oh my soul!

I wonder what was going through Horatio's mind when writing these words. Rather than focusing on the indescrible grief he must've been battling, he looked to his sin, willingly born by Jesus on that cross 2000 years ago and rejoiced. Perhaps when we go through our darkest trials, we can find joy when we remeber the price paid and the freedom won for us by our Savior - Jesus. 

Verse 4:

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.

The final verse looks forward with hopeful anticipation to the Second Coming of Christ, reflecting a profound longing for the day when faith becomes sight and God restores all things. This mirrors the promise in Revelation 21:4, where God will wipe away every tear, and death shall be no more—truly, a future where everything is well with our souls.

Applying the Truths of "It Is Well" to Our Lives

In the face of life's inevitable trials, we are called to "consider it pure joy," as these challenges refine us and make us more Christlike. This perspective is crucial, as articulated in James 1:2-4, reminding us that our earthly struggles are momentary and serve a greater purpose in light of eternity. Our greatest joy stems from our salvation. When trials come, we can rejoice because "It is well with my soul".

Discover The 'It Is Well Print' - As Part Of Our Hymn Wall Art Collection

If you have been inspired by the words and meaning of this Hymn I have created a design that pairs the words from 'It Is Well' with this stunning artwork by Childe Hassam. Discover the 'It Is Well Print' as part of our Hymn Wall Art Collection.

Finally, if you’ve enjoyed learning about The Story Behind It Is Well, you might also enjoy reading about The Story Behind The Hymn: 'Abide With me'.