Printable It Is Well With My Soul
The old hymn, “It is Well with my Soul” is a classic favorite. I am so excited to make this printable wall art based on the beautiful song available to you in a free download. Before jumping into the free download let’s look at the amazing story behind the creation of this hymn.
The Story Behind the Song
The beautiful him titled, “It is Well with my Soul” was written by Horatio Spafford, after a very tragic event in his life, then later put music by Philip P. Bliss. The beautiful song entitled “It is Well with my Soul” is also referred to as Ville Du Havre.
The story behind this hymn is that Horatio G. Spafford, who was a prominent businessman and lawyer in Chicago, Illinois, intended to take his wife, Anna, and his four daughters (Annie, 11; Margaret, 9; Elizabeth, 5; and Tanetta, 2) (Source 1) on an extended vacation in Europe after the devastating Chicago fires.
Due to some business matters, Horatio Gates Spafford, had to stay behind while sending his family on ahead, intending to catch up with them later. Spafford’s wife and daughters boarded a luxurious ship called the Ville du Havre to travel across the Atlantic Ocean.
Disaster struck the ship in the wee hours of the morning, on November 22, 1873, when a Scottish iron ship, called the Loch Earn, struck the side of the ship carrying Spafford’s family. Panic immediately ensued on the ship, throughout the crew and passengers alike.
The last moments of Anna and her four daughters were spent on the top deck, huddled together, praying that God would spare them, if it was in His will. The ship sank so fast, it is said that the time passing from impact to the time the ship went down, was only 12 minutes. There was very little time to react, and most everyone was lost.
Though Anna’s daughters were ripped away from her, and they were all thrown about, she was found floating on a piece of wreckage in the ocean waters. A sailor in a small passing boat found her still alive and took her safely to Wales.
From there, Anna sent a letter to her husband telling him sorrowful news. He immediately booked passage with another ship and went to join his grieving wife, after the tragic event.
Though sources conflict one version claimed that it was said by his daughter Bertha, who was born a few years after the tragic event, that He wrote the words for “It Is Well With My Soul” during his passage to join his wife. Other sources according to Ira Sankey claim that the hymn was written a few years later, once Mr. Spafford returned to his Chicago home.
No matter when he actually penned the great hymn, it was based on the terrible loss experienced in his life, having his daughters ripped away, was a major tragic event, but it was not the only terrible event in his life. These were not the only tragic events his family would endure, earlier in life they had a son who died in 1870 from scarlet fever. Then the fires destroyed Chicago.
Philip Bliss
After Horatio Gates Spafford wrote the lyrics for the great hymn, Philip Bliss later set the words to music. This resulted in the hymn many of us know and love today.
Favorite Hymns
Like many favorite hymns, the event inspiring the hymn arose from tragic events. This is true of so many beloved hymns. Oftentimes, the struggles in life are what make many of us as human beings rely more on God’s sovereign plan.
You can clearly see outlined in these lyrics, that Spafford may not understand what God’s plan is, and he is even hurting in this life. But he believes that Jesus Christ is still in control, and he also believes in the second coming of Jesus. When all things will be made right again.
It Is Well with My Soul Song 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.”
Chorus
It is well (It is well)
With my soul, (With my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul
Though Satan should buffet,
Tho trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul
Chorus
It is well (It is well)
With my soul, (With my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul
My sin O 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!
Chorus
It is well (It is well)
With my soul, (With my soul)
It is well, it is well with 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.
Chorus
It is well (It is well)
With my soul, (With my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul
Free Digital Download of this Beautiful Hymn
I have created a beautiful digital item that can be used for wall art if desired. This digital product is free for your personal use and can be accessed by entering your email address into the box below, then clicking the download button. A copy of this PDF file will be sent directly to your email inbox. I hope that you enjoy this free gift.
It Is Well with My Soul
This beautiful hymn is a reminder that God is in control no matter what the circumstances may be that’s around us in life. Like many hymn writers, the story which inspired these great lyrics is no exception to the difficulties in life.
Thank you so much for stopping by! I hope that you enjoy this free printable It Is Well with My Soul.
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Source 1: hymnologyarchive.com
Source 2: StAugustine.com
Source 3: Wikipedia.org
Source 4: PostPresby.org
