Sunday, March 3, 2013

It Is Well with My Soul

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/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, (it is well),
With my soul, (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.

Refrain:

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!
 
Refrain:

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.
 
Refrain:

But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
New life, not the grave, is our goal;
The trumpet of  angels; The voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!
 
Refrain:
 
And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trumpet shall sound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul. 
 
Refrain:                    
 
  ---Horatio Spafford (adapted)

*"For, to me, to live is Christ, but to die is great gain."  ---St. Paul, Phillipians 1:21

**The Jordan River in the Holy Land.  The main eastern boundary of the Holy Land, it has become a symbol of the river to cross over at death, to enter heaven.  It is also the river in which Jesus was baptized. 
 
The writing of this hymn has such a moving story behind it that I included the link above.  For a deeper meaning from this hymn, look into the following verses: 
 
Praise the Lord, O my soul.”  --Psalm 146:1b
 
"God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.  
Therefore will not we fear,
Though the earth give way,
And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;  
Though its waters roar and are stirred up, Though the mountains shake with their surging."  -- David in Psalm 46:1-3
 
"Bless Yahweh, O my soul:
All that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless Yahweh, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits:
Who forgives all your iniquities;
Who heals all your diseases;
Who buys back[redeems] your life from destruction;
Who crowns you with loving-kindness and tender mercies;
Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. 
Yahweh carries out righteousness and judgment For all that are oppressed." --David in Psalm 103: 1-6
 
" 'Rejoice in the Lord always'  and again I say, 'Rejoice.' Let your moderation be known to everyone. The Lord is near.  Don't worry about anything; but in every thing by prayer and earnest begging with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."  ---St. Paul in Philippians 4:4-7
 
"Peace I leave with you.  My peace I give unto you. Not as the world gives,  do give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. "  --Jesus in  John 14:27