It Is Well with My Soul

I thought I would share with you today another of my favorite hymns, “It Is Well with My Soul” by Horatio Spafford. Most people know that the writer of the song penned the words upon coming to the site of a shipwreck that killed his four daughters. I remember singing this hymn as a child and being very moved by it. However, one line always bothered me: “My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!” How could sin be glorious? Sin was bad. But as an adult I’ve really come to appreciate this verse of the song and it almost always brings me to tears. Sin is bad, but the glorious part is that I no longer bear the punishment for it. Christ paid the price so I don’t have to. And that, my friends, is—as the song says—bliss!

It Is Well with My Soul Words by Horatio G. Spafford

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Refrain:

It is well, with my soul, It is well, 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 has 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 the 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 pang 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 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.