It was written by American lawyer, property-developer and Presbyterian church
elder and hymn-writer Horatio Gates Spafford (1828-1888), while he who has
previously suffered greatly in a financial crisis, was sailing to England to
join his wife after a ship-wreck in which all their daughters were drowned.
With meter 11.8.11.9 with refrain, it is set to the tune VILLE DU HAVRE (named after the ship which Spaffrod's family were travelling on) by American composer, conductor, hymnwriter and gospel singer Philip Paul Bliss (1838–1876).
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
Chorus:
It is well (it is well),
with my soul (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 His 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 pain 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,
A song in the night, oh my soul!
With meter 11.8.11.9 with refrain, it is set to the tune VILLE DU HAVRE (named after the ship which Spaffrod's family were travelling on) by American composer, conductor, hymnwriter and gospel singer Philip Paul Bliss (1838–1876).
Downloads
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Examples
Professional choir with organ:
Large choir with piano:
Choir and congregation with piano:
Acapella arrangement:
Contemporary arrangement, lead singer and guitar-based band:
Trio with guitar and piano:
Lyrics
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.
Chorus:
It is well (it is well),
with my soul (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 His 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 pain 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,
A song in the night, oh my soul!
I have orchestrated and recorded this hymn as a Lyric Video for congregational use. Find it at https://youtu.be/n-f4Gzgxg0E
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