I’ve never been intrigued before this weekend. I’ve always liked the hymn, “It is Well” but when I heard Kutless’ rendition, something stirred in me.
After hearing Kutless perform “It is Well” in concert, I wondered about the person who could pen such powerful words. The story behind the lyrics…
Certainly no stranger to tragedy. Horatio Spafford was a Chicago businessman who met with financial disaster in The Great Chicago Fire of 1871. He’d invested quite a bit into the city and when the fire destroyed the city, he was in financial ruin himself. Still grieving from the loss of their own son, Horatio and his wife decided that they would head to Europe. He knew that his friend and evangelist Dwight Moody would be heading to England that fall; the family decided to go. On that voyage, one which Horatio did not make due to business, the ship, S.S. Ville du Harve sunk. His four daughters were killed and his wife messaged him, “Saved alone.”
There are several theories as to when “It Is Well With My Soul,” was written. Many believe it was penned when Spafford was on a ship to rejoin his wife in Wales after the tragedy. One story tells that the captain informed him that they were passing over the scene of the accident that he was moved to write these words; “When sorrows like sea billows roll; whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, it is well, it is well, with my soul.”
Horatio Spafford and his wife went on to have 2 more children and moved to Jerusalem where he and his wife engaged in philanthropic work until his death.
Kutless’ rendition live was powerful. It was moving. It was worship.
It Is Well With My Soul
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.
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.
Horatio Spafford
Oh Lori! I have so had this song on my heart! Thank you for sharing Kutless’ version. It blesses me. Love to you! Holly
okay.. this song is so special to me Lori. I get choked up when I hear it b/c I can hear my grandfather singing it, I think you’ve just given me my new favorite version of it.. I hadn’t heard it before.. still chokes me up but wow, what a powerful song. I actually have it written on a photograph in my bedroom.
hugs.
thanks.
[...] Yesterday I spent some time researching the story behind the hymn “It is Well.” [...]
Hey, Lori!! I tried leaving you a comment last night, but I had trouble getting through!!
Thanks so much for sharing this video!! We sang “It Is Well” at our oldest son’s funeral in 2001. It has been especially meaningful ever since. I had read about the history behind the song … such a powerful testimony of God carrying us through.
Thanks again for sharing! I’m blessed each time I visit!
Great song! I remember the first time I heard the history of the song. It was an episode of Adventures in Odyssey. Very interesting story!