It Is Well with My Soul facts for kids
"It Is Well With My Soul" is a famous hymn, which is a type of religious song. It was written by Horatio Spafford and the music was composed by Philip Bliss. This powerful song was created after a very sad event in Horatio Spafford's life.
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!
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
Contents
The Story Behind the Song
Horatio Spafford was a successful lawyer and businessman from Chicago, USA. He was also a deeply religious person. In 1871, a terrible fire destroyed much of Chicago, including many of Spafford's properties. This was a huge loss for him.
A Family Tragedy
Just two years later, in 1873, Spafford planned a trip to Europe with his family. He sent his wife, Anna, and their four daughters ahead on a ship called the S.S. Ville Du Havre. Horatio planned to join them later.
During the journey across the Atlantic Ocean, the S.S. Ville Du Havre crashed into another ship. The ship sank very quickly. Anna Spafford survived the shipwreck, but sadly, all four of their daughters died. This was an incredibly sad and difficult time for the Spafford family.
Writing the Hymn
When Horatio Spafford heard the news, he immediately sailed to meet his grieving wife. As his ship passed over the spot where his daughters' ship had sunk, he was inspired to write the words to "It Is Well With My Soul." The hymn expresses a feeling of peace and faith, even in the middle of great sorrow.
The Music and Its Impact
The words written by Horatio Spafford were later set to music by Philip Bliss. Bliss was a well-known composer of hymns. He named the tune "Ville du Havre" after the ship that sank.
The hymn was first published in 1876 in a collection called Gospel Songs No. 2. Since then, "It Is Well With My Soul" has become one of the most famous and beloved hymns in the world. It offers comfort and hope to many people during difficult times.
Images for kids
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The sinking of the steamship Ville du Havre
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It is Well with My Soul, first print 1876
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