Well in a Hymn

With “well” being my word of the year, it is natural for me to go on a hymn search to find this word and its lessons in music.  One obvious hymn is the familiar hymn, at least well known and loved by my faith community, Peace like a River or as it is called, It is well. Here is it lyrics and song.  If you are reading this in email you may have to go to the website to see it:

The story behind this hymn is amazing, tragic and full of grace, love and faith.

A Chicago lawyer, Horatio G. Spafford, a man who had suffered almost unimaginable personal tragedy, wrote this hymn. He was also a devout Christian and faithful student of the Scriptures.

The Spafford’s only son died from scarlet fever when he was only four. He lost most of his real estate holdings in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.

He knew his family needed something for some rest and relaxation after all that trauma, so he decided to take his wife and four daughters to England

The Spaffords traveled to New York in November 1873 where they were to catch the French steamer ‘Ville de Havre’ across the Atlantic. Yet just before they set sail, a last-minute business development forced Horatio to delay. Not wanting to ruin the family holiday, Spafford persuaded his family to go as planned. He would follow on later. With this decided, Anna and her four daughters sailed East to Europe without him.

On November 2nd 1873, the ‘Ville de Havre’ had collided with ‘The Lochearn’, an English vessel. It sank in only 12 minutes, claiming the lives of 226 people, including all four of the daughters,

Nine days later, Horatio Spafford received a telegram from his wife after she landed safely in Wales. It read: “Saved alone.”

Upon hearing the terrible news, Horatio Spafford boarded the next ship out of New York to join his bereaved wife. During his voyage the captain of the ship had called him to the bridge. “A careful reckoning has been made,” he said, “and I believe we are now passing the place where the de Havre was wrecked. The water is three miles deep.”

Horatio then returned to his cabin and penned the lyrics of his great hymn.

“It is well with my soul.”  I have been singing the words of the hymn as a prayer each day this week and throughout this year.  Such comfort. Such intimacy. Sometimes I feel like I am being held by Jesus with this hymn.  At times the moment is so incredible, I can’t even say the words, I just hum the music. A moment that wells up as pure worship. It is well with my soul. Well. All is well. All is well when we are with God.

How does this hymn speak to your heart?