In those moments many of us, as well as millions of others, have turned for comfort to the words of horatio g. Jun 25, 2018 consider these wellloved hymnsmidnight songs, if you willand the truth we find in the stories of how they were written. Horatio spafford biography the story behind the hymn. And the peace of god which surpasses all understanding. Sailing across the atlantic to join his wife, spafford wrote it is well with my soul. Horatio spafford it is well with my soul west park. Spafford was a successful lawyer and businessman in chicago with a lovely family a wife, anna, and five children. It is well with my soul lyrics, hymn meaning and story.
Abide with me is one of the bestloved english hymns of the past 150 years. It is said that spafford returned to his cabin and wrote the hymn it is well with my soul there and then, the first line of which is, when peace like a river, attendeth my way there are other accounts which say that it was written at a later date, but obviously the voyage was one of deep pathos, and is the clear inspiration of the. Instead of thinking god was punishing him, scriven cherished gods friendship through all of this hardshipa friendship he discovered in prayer. Sharing the stories behind everyday hymns such as amazing grace, beyond the sunset,at calvary, a titanic hymn and many more. Though peace, sa sin lord, like tan o haste a should the the riv buf bliss day er fet, of when tho this at the tend tri glo faith eth als ri shall my should ous be way, sight, come, thought, let my the when sor this sin clouds rows blest not be like as in rolled. Spafford 18281888, was a presbyterian layman from chicago. My jesus i love thee is a sweet expression of love for the savior that flows directly from the authors experience of the saviors love for him. It is well with my soul is a powerpoint worship song about trusting in god fully when facing great hardships and trials in life.
Dec 25, 2014 shiver has collected stories about such standards as amazing grace and it is well with my soul into three volumes that chronicle the stories behind some of christianitys best known hymns. It is well with my soul hymn famous hymn composer, philip bliss 18381876, was so moved by horatios prose, that he composed a peaceful tune to accompany the words. The family went through several heartbreaks and setbacks in life, and ends with the family moving to the holy land. The inspiring story behind it is well with my soul. He giveth more grace pdf ready to read online or print out to pass along or post hymn story podcasts lifespring. I wasnt intending to rewrite it, but i started thinking about it when beth and i were working on a song that touched on some similar themes.
The music for it is well with my soul was composed by philip bliss, a songwriter and gospel singer, and the hymn was first published in 1976 in a songbook produced by. Hymn stories the stories behind the songs, along with a nice musical version. It is well with my soul is a hymn written by horatio gates spafford, a prominent american lawyer, presbyterian church elder and hymnist, following the tragic events in his life. Stories behind the hynms the greatest hymns and worship. Upon returning home, his wife asked him how the service was. The story behind it is well with my soul metro voice news. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets.
Bliss on november 24, 1876 before an assembly of ministers hosted by dwight l. The trump shall resound, and the lord shall descend, even so, it is well with my soul. It is well, with my soul, it is well, with my soul, it is well, it is well, with my soul. Not many people know the surprising stories behind these hymns. Creator unknown public domain image via wikimedia commons the words to the well known hymn, it is well with my soul, were written by a chicago lawyer by the name of horatio spafford. How was it possible for the son of god to have died for me. This hymn is still sung in protestant churches today. There will always be storms to face, and sometimes there will be tragedies. The music mediation series includes scripture readings, memory verses, and questions from each hymn.
Read a devotional for this hymn, read the hymn story, the authors biography and mp3 audio lessons on it is well with my soul at the. The song it is well with my soul was written by a successful christian lawyer horatio spafford, his only son died at age 4 in 1871,in 1872, the great chicago fire wiped out his vast estate made from a successful legal career, in 1873 he sent his wife and 4 daughters over to europe on a summer trip on the ill fated ville du havre. It is well the story behind the famous hymn performed by. It is well with my soul the powerful story behind the hymn. Horatio gates spafford the story behind the hymn it is. What about it is well with my soul or any of the other powerful praises we have sung again and again. My sin not in part but in whole, is nailed to his cross and i bear it no more, praise the lord, praise the lord, oh, my soul. Sometimes songs we know have so much more meaning and power when we know the story behind the song. Alas and did my savior bleed, the song and the story. My son died august 12, 2015 and the questions i have of why have been answered through this song.
It is well, with my soul, it is well, with my soul, it is well, it is well. The inspiring stories behind 175 of the mostloved hymns 1973, 153. Hymn story it is well with my soul hymn lists by book of bible it is well with my soul horatio spafford 18281888 was quite successfula senior partner in a chicago law firm. I thank god for these wonderful words of courage and inspiration this song is sustaining me now. It is excellent for devotional reading, sermon illustrations, and bulletin inserts, as well as for historical or biographical research. 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. Pretty much the same as ours, except we sang hymns instead of praise choruses.
Every line of each verse seems to open a window into the relationship that horatio g. In 1912, eleanor hull, a writer of english history and literature, penned the prose into verse form. Behind the hymn it is well with my soul memoir of a writer. Story behind the hymn it is well with my soul lawyer. Horatio gates spafford october 20, 1828, troy, new york october 16, 1888, jerusalem was a prominent american lawyer and presbyterian church elder.
Below is a list of printables, resources and ideas for you to use to create your own hymn study on it is well with my soul. It is well with my soul hymn 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 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. The story behind the hymn baptist christian forums. Youll learn some history, and probably some new hymns as well. Dec 12, 2008 this worship video powerfully retells the amazing life story of horatio spafford, the writer of the famous hymn, it is well with my soul. The history behind 100 of christianitys greatest hymns. Ace collins, stories behind the hymns that inspire america zondervan, grand. Christian minister john piper is seen in this photo shared publicly in 2012 by his desiring god ministry on facebook. This is, of course, the first verse of the classic hymn it is well, which has been sung in churches since 1876. And lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight, the clouds be rolled back as a scroll. Aug 29, 2018 in 1830, when the prophet joseph smiths wife, emma, was instructed to choose sacred hymns for the restored church, the lord revealed, for my soul delighteth in the song of the heart. Horatio gates spafford was born in new york, on 20th october 1828, but it was in chicago that he became well known for his clear christian testimony.
Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the stories of hymns. Born out of the personal tragedy and inspirational faith of horatio gates spafford, it is well with my soul has become one of the best loved and most enduring hymns in todays church. It is well it is well, with my soul with my soul, it is well, it is well with my soul. Horatio spafford was a successful lawyer in chicago who had invested heavily. However, it is not an expression of doubt but of wonder and awe. Not many hymns begin with a question as does this one. When peace like a river, attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to know it is well, it is well with my soul. In this blog article, gena tells the moving story of how horatio gates spafford wrote the famous hymn it is well with my soul after undergoing severe hardships and tragedy. Hymn stories hymn stories, stories behind the hymns, hymn. He wrote them down, and they have since become a well beloved hymn. This incredible story of faith belongs to horatio spafford 18281888. Ken osbeck tells the story in his book 101 hymn stories. It is well with my soul, it is well, it is well with my soul. It is well with my soul hymn lyrics and story videos.
The song, it is well with my soul, is known by most people who have attended protestant church services. Spafford had been a successful attorney in chicago. Gena philibertortega is a genealogist and author of the book from the family kitchen. Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the lord. The unknown stories behind three wellloved hymns facts. John piper reveals the horror that birthed the powerful. This blog exists to share the history and lyrics of popular hymns and old hymns that people have come to love over the years. The inspiring story behind the beloved hymn it is well with my soul. For more music and videos, check out colin battersby on. It is well with my soul, reproduction of original manuscript. Horatio spafford it is well with my soul is a remarkable story of the deep faith of horatio spafford and his timeless song it is well with my soul.
It is well with my soul is a hymn penned by hymnist horatio spafford and composed by philip bliss. It is well with my soul story behind the hymn posted by be the first to comment born out of the personal tragedy and inspirational faith of horatio gates spafford, it is well with my soul has become one of the best loved and most enduring hymns in todays church. He is best known for penning the christian hymn it is well with my soul following a family tragedy in which his four daughters died aboard the s. The song was published by bliss and sankey, in 1876. Sep 25, 2014 it is well with my soul is a hymn penned by hymnist horatio spafford and composed by philip bliss. 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. One of my favorite hymns is it is well with my soul. Listen to the traditional hymn once before reading on.
It is well with my soul was first sung in public by p. And lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight, the clouds be rolled back as a scroll, the trumph shall resound, and the lord shall descend, even so it is well with my soul. It is well with my soul the rest of the stories james. Every song we sing, every hymnal tune we worship through has an incredible story behind it. We see this both in its enduring usage in churches today and in its ongoing appearances in modern culture for example, in the opening ceremony of the 2012 summer olympics.
Be thou my vision 1912 an irish poem first translated into english in 1905 by mary bryne, in dublin, ireland. It is well, it is well with my soul anna gave birth to three more children, one of which died at age four with dreaded pneumonia. If you are interested in reading about the stories behind hymns, a good resource would be my fathers book songs of glory. With this hymn comes one of the most heartrending stories in the annals of hymnody. Horatio and anna spaffords life story is a powerful example of steadfast faith in the midst of despair and resentment. Abandoning our christian heritage of hymnody is shortsighted. There are notable exceptions, of course, such as the story behind it is well with my soul, one of my favorites. Facebookdesiring god if you have ever wondered what sequence of events inspired the lyrics of the timeless christian hymn it is well by writer horatio spafford, theologian john piper unveils the tempestuous story behind it during a. The history behind 100 of christianitys greatest hymns kindle edition by rutler, fr.
The author found that to insert all the worthy names of gospel song and hymn writers in a single,olnme would make it too bulky. But with faith in a loving god and with trust in his divine help, we can confidently say, it is well, it is well with my soul. Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, it is well, it is well with my soul. Stories of great hymns a professional actor, rex brenner tells how the great hymns came to be written, and emotionally reads the lyrics. Singspiration, dr al smith, bill has been sharing the stories behind the hymns in churches for over twenty five years.
The hymn it is well with my soul was written by hymnist horatio spafford and composed by philip bliss. Aside from being a prominent lawyer, he and his wife were also close friends of evangelist dwight moody. Oct, 2016 enjoy a fresh, devotional look at hymn stories by way of the great hymns of the faith. Now with a new cover this book offers the inspiring true stories behind 101 of your favorite hymns. Oct 27, 20 my own appreciation for the hymns has increased as ive learned and written about the stories behind them for my series of books then sings my soul and my devotional volume near to the heart of god. For god so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that. May we learn that our relationship with god will grow the same wayin prayer. Oct 16, 2014 it is well, it is well with my soul anna gave birth to three more children, one of which died at age four with dreaded pneumonia. The heartbreaking story behind it is well with my soul.
How can it be that the shedding of jesus blood 1900 years ago is relevant to me today. He was the father of four daughters, an active member of the presbyterian church, and a loyal friend and supporter of d. When peace like a river, attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll. One is just lyrics of popular hymns and the other is a book with the backstories on many hymns who wrote them and why, etc. Whatever my lot god has taught me to say it is well with my soul. The stories behind these songs will fascinate you and bring new meaning and richness to special spiritual moments in the history of our nation. The melody for this hymn is a traditional irish tune.
Story behind the hymn, it is well with my soul horatio g. A remarkable thing about my jesus i love thee is that it was not penned by an aged and experienced hymnwriter like so many of our favorite hymns. Mar 03, 20 abide with me is one of the bestloved english hymns of the past 150 years. I really enjoy meditating on the words, theyre so rich and they feed me. It is well with my soul gospel hymn story the tabernacle. It is well with my soul song devotional weareworship. After suffering the loss of his children, spafford wrote this beautiful hymn as a testament to the salvation he found in jesus through the good and bad times in life. The story behind the verses that still carry the statement of faith from many facing grief, loss and tragedy reads like a retelling of the old testament. Moody and his music associate, ira sankey, left for.
The stories behind the hymns lifestyle the courier. However, consider stopping here when retelling this story. Wherever he leads, ill go it was 1936 and two friends serving together at a sunday school conference in alabama were at lunch, sharing what god was doing in their lives. Isaac watts could say a great deal using common words that was scriptural and exalted english. Hymns vs contemporary worship songs it just so happened that the same weekend, a businessman was in the country and went to a country church. You may consider to add it is well in my soul hymn in your repertoire or worship lineup when the topics are about. He was also a committed christian layman who supported the ministry of dwight l. Horatio spafford was married to anna larsen from norway. Aug 09, 20 this is such a timely post for me because i just bought 2 books on hymns yesterday. He, and his wife anna were active in their church, and their home was always open to visitors. It is possibly the most influential and enduring in the bliss repertoire and is often taken as. It is well story behind the song austinstoneworship. It is only when you go behind what led to the authors writing these songs that you start to appreciate the message of these songs.
Story behind it is well with my soul hymn believers portal. In 1873, horatio was on his way to meet his heartbroken wife, passing over the same sea that had just claimed the lives of his remaining children. It is a compilation of his column, history of hymns, that appeared originally in the nashville banner and finally in the united methodist reporter. Jul 21, 2017 lets bring a few of the most popular hymns to life by exploring the history and story behind the words. It is well with my soul a hymn by horatio gates spafford. The story behind the timeless hymn it is well with my soul, and all the goodness that flowed from the spaffords faithfilled lives thereafter, will inspire you and your family to always look upward to the savior and trust in his soothing hand, whether in times of peace or of sorrow. Apr 10, 2018 but with faith in a loving god and with trust in his divine help, we can confidently say, it is well, it is well with my soul. It was then that he put his pen to paper and the timeless hymn was born.
Listen to the hymn on your favorite music player and hear the song with new ears when you know why the author penned the lyrics. Best loved songs and hymns download ebook pdf, epub, tuebl. The stories behind these songs bring them to life, adding context and meaning while helping us to understand, relate, and feel in a deeper way. Refrain well, with my soul, it is well, it is well with my soul. Anna spafford gave birth to three more children, one of which died at age 4. Horatio gates spafford the story behind the hymn it is well with my soul the story of the hymn. When the great chicago fire struck in 1871, horatio spafford, an. He had established a very successful legal practice as a young businessman and was also a devout christian. The trumpet shall sound, and the lord shall descend, even so, it is well with my soul. That is exactly what happened to horatio spafford, the man who wrote one of the most soul stirring hymns in the christian hymnal, it is well with my soul. Stories behind the hymns that inspire america describes the people, places, and events that have shaped the heart and soul of america.
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