Freebie Friday – The Story Behind the Hymn, It Is Well with My Soul

It’s Freebie Friday! And I have two new 8”x10” printables for you today that are inspired by one of my all-time favorite hymns, It Is Well with My Soul.

Based on 3 John 1:2 (KJV), “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth,” this song was originally penned by Horatio Spafford in 1873, not long after the death of his toddler son, the loss of his business investments to fire and the loss of his four daughters to a tragic accident at sea. His wife, who was also aboard the SS Ville du Havre during the accident, survived.

While Spafford was sailing to meet his wife across the same ocean in which his children perished, he wrote this beloved hymn. Philip Bliss then composed the tune and named it Ville du Havre for the vessel that Spafford’s daughters were aboard when it sank.

Such a life of tragedy, pain and loss, but Spafford found salvation and comfort, peace and assurance in the Lord God, who then used Spafford’s words to reach millions in our own trials and tribulations.

It’s a cry of HOPE and FAITH!

No matter our circumstances, God is with us and loves us, and we can exclaim:

“Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, it is well, it is well with my soul.”

This beautiful hymn is timeless and has been remade and recorded again and again, but one of my favorite versions is by Audrey Assad:

It Is Well with My Soul
by Horatio Spafford

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, 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 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 the 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.

FREEBIES

These 8″x10″ black and white printables look great printed on bright white or colorful card stock and then framed. Hang them up or give them as gifts … they’re free for personal use, friends.

Click here to download

“It is well with my soul.”

Click here to download

“It is well with my soul.”

Background information sourced from The Story Behind The Hymn ‘It Is Well With My Soul’