It Is Well with My Soul: Historical Origins of the Hymn & the Tune 

I'm 78 years old and have lost most all of my family and friends . But this song up lifts my soul and I know I will see them AGEN in the buy and buy .AMAN AND PRAISE GOD 🙏

This hymn and story behind it always makes me realize my problems are nothing.

My late husband had loved this song his whole life. So it was his request to have this song be sung at his funeral. It was a hard day but a comfort at the same time. Praise God that we are children of God and will see each other again.

My son Matt died 3 months ago.....In my grief I found this hymn and now understand the story behind it. I played it several times and I felt my grief listed. Life on earth is hard...but our faith in Christ Jesus helps us get through good times and bad. This narrative is well done.

My late dad's favorite hymn. It was played at his funeral. He lost 3 kids and an adopted child too was lost at 33yrs old due to accident. We lost dad 20th March 2019. He battled with his health issues and I quote him"Even if I don't get healed my faith in christ Jesus is firm" praise the Lord because it is well with his soul in heaven. I survived miraculously with only my lovely mum. Even so it is well with our soul. The faith I have in christ Jesus grows stronger everyday.

We sang this Wednesday February 17, 2021. For our son who passed from his pain into healing and peace.

My dad's favorite (one of) hymn...I sang it at his funeral...please pray for my unsaved family members - God bless

This man was tested by God just like Job!! Oooh mercy to us who have a little faith!!😭😭😭🙆

Oh Lord, strengthen your children in this wicked country - Nigeria. When I heard the news of my dad's demised, I cried but this song consoled me... It is well with my soul. Keep resting in the Lord's bossom, Dad.

I just lost my dad, and so glad he turned his life over to Christ. He was worshipping God with a peaceful smile on his face with his eyes closed and singing hymns as my wife was singing on stage at church. I believe he was repented up the day he died suddenly of a heart attack, and will be raised from the grave upon Jesus's return. (1 Thesalonians 4:16-18).

My son died in a motorcycle accident seven years ago at the age of 21. I still cannot see a father with a son in public without feeling overwhelming grief, sadness, and sorrow. The greatest gift in life is the time we have with loved ones. Blessings to you all!

“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭4:16‬ ‭

My late son always, sang the chorus of it is, well with my soul, 2 years ago he passed on and we sang it is, well with my soul at his funeral, as much as I grieve for my son I know he is at peace and that it is, well with both my soul and his. Thank you Jesus for your steadfast love

I first heard this beautiful hymn in a Presbyterian church that I had been attending as I "strayed" away from my Catholic faith due to life's issues. The lyrics and beauty of the music moved me so much, I was brought to tears. While I have returned to my Catholic faith, this beautiful hymn remains one of my most favorite and uplifting hymns of all times. After listening to the story behind the author, I realize that I personally could never go through life without God's love and grace.

☺ It's 2020 and it's still well with our souls. No matter the chaos we see around. God is still good Amen

Just cried 😭 just a beautiful peaceful song ,despite of so much adversity, so inspirational 💕🕊

My son in law was killed today. His wife and his 4 year old daughter and our entire family are devasted!(all is well with my soul) Jesus, give us the strength & hope we will see him again!

Looking at the meaning behind most of the church hymns has strengthened my faith in our Heavenly Father so much. Thank you for this one as well❤

In the midst of all earthly problems and struggles, it is good to know that it is well with my soul. What a way to test one's faith. One of the greatest hymns ever. Deeply touching.

I now know to use.... IT IS WELL! as my anthem and all my troubles that I faces in life and still facing...IT IS WE WITH MY SOUL ... thank you that you for this powerful message.. thank you Jesus for you grace and mercy🙏😇

Jesus Christ: “In this life, you’ll have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world”

We lost my 22 year old brother about a year and half ago .My mother loves this hymn it is nice knowing it's origin.

Even now I'm passing through storm's. ..I can still stand say it's well with my soul

“For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭4:15‬ ‭

"He is no fool who gives what he can not keep, to gain what he can not lose." -Jim Elliot

_This turned ma eyes wet😓😓. May God bless everyone, especially the ones who are going through the darkest days of their life. As we all are facing a pandemic period now, we can hope that this too will pass and we will see the sunshine again. As a Christian, we know that the Lord is always there by our side and there's nothing to worry about. Let's sing this song and comfort our hearts" It is well with my soul"_

What a blessing to listen to this during Lockdown. Thank you, Lord for guiding me to this. 🙏🌟🌹

This story brought tears to my eyes, now I understand why God told me to learn this song. It's on my channel but it was before I watched this video, now that I understand the story behind this song, I will make more video recordings and add them to my channel. Lord, we love you, please let anyone who read this be touched and moved to change their lives and travel the narrow path with me for it is lonely traveling this path but the joy of The Lord is my strength. Sincerely, maurice 😢

I have asked my wife to let this song be song at my funeral. Because at that time it will be " Well will my soul ". 😄😇

The Lord works in mysterious ways… As a result of the ongoing pandemic, I was catching up with the online sermons from the church which we regularly attend. I had just listened to the 2020 Easter sermon. I was not anticipating this video being next in the queue. With tears streaming down my face, I allowed it to auto-play. I have known this story, or as I have learned from this video, knew of one of the overtly sentimentalized versions. Not that it matters. I agree with the Author of the introduction, no additional sentimentalizing is required. I knew this story, on August 12th, 2015. Not by hearing the song, nor by reading the story. I knew it by the words given to me in a dream on the one-year anniversary of my 2-year old son passing away; “He is well, He is well, He is well with the Lord!” I know that these are not the lyrics of the song; however, they were to the same melody. I had never before heard “It is Well with My Soul”. I would not learn of this song until later that night as I was singing (my version of the lyrics) in the presence of a neighbor. That neighbor proclaimed, “That is not how those lyrics go. They are, ‘It is well. It is well. It is well with my soul!’” facebook.com/MatthewCCushman/posts/749410078502078 I thank the creator/author of this video for providing additional clarity to this tragic story and in doing so reminding me of the hope that God offers to us. While some may question a mother praying over her daughters while the ship was going down around her, or that a man would return to his wife’s side and accept God’s fate so willingly; please allow me to be a modern day testimony to God’s amazing love (albeit in far lesser magnitude than these examples). While knowing of God my entire life, I did not yet know Him fully until the evening of August 12th, 2012. The entirety of the night prior however, I spent in a pediatric ICU unit simply praying to the God whom I had not yet fully accepted. My prayer was not, "Heal my son and I will serve You". It was not, "Whatever I may give to You in exchange for his recovery, it is Yours." My prayer was simply, “God, please heal my son from head to toe and may Your will be done. Your will above my own.” This was not the prayer of a non-believer. This was not a prayer of my own manifestation. This was a prayer of the Holy Spirit on my behalf. Over 18 hours, I lost count of the number of times which this prayer crossed my lips both physically and mentally… God’s will was done (as it always is, Amen). My son was healed from head to toe just as I had prayed. Carter is/was/will always be at the side of God as of the early hours of August 12th, 2014. It was not until hours later, around 8 in the evening, that I accepted Christ into my life, a decision for which I had for so long been unwilling to make. As of that moment, I knew in faith what I only now know in truth; it is well, it is well, it is well with my Soul! We serve an amazing God whom has a plan and purpose for each of us. I pray that you may lay claim to the same as I; we serve a magnificent, loving, and protecting God. May it also be well with your soul. Take care and God Bless!

During moments of sorrow, i find solace and peace in this hymn. I have learnt to be at peace, since it's always well with God. I have lost several members of my family, starting with my wife, parents, brother and sister in law, amongst others. Some day i will need to understand why, but all is well now that i trust that they are all well with the Lord. Second coming of our Lord is SOON. AMEN.

Having heard this story before, this hymn has always been my favorite. When I was in my deepest darkest depression, these words played through my mind, until my lips could utter them. Through heart breaking tragedy came one of the most inspirational hymns ever written. To this day, this hymn blesses and is the perfect example on praising the LORD in adversity.

My special needs daughter recorded an arrangement of this song for her special needs community as a fundraiser - Promise In Brevard in Melbourne, Florida. This song moves my daughter's heart because of the story behind it. Thank you for sharing the rest of the story with us!

I'll remember this every time I hear this song. Forever and ever amen.

My what a powerful message. I had no idea the history of this beloved hymn. Thank you so much for this gift.

Thank you for the history behind this beautiful song, and for your commentary at the end.

Horatio Spafford and his family are reunited in heaven above. He left behind a song that will live on.

I've always liked this song, it's amazing how something so peaceful and calming could come out of such a tragic circumstances...But that's just how God is.

Everyone Needs To Know This Story ♡♡♡

This is song 🔥🔥🔥🔥🙌🙌🙌🙌and the testimony attached to it is beyond measurable 😭😭😭😭

We just lost the baby that we planned to adopt on the 4 Jan 2019. There is an empty place in our hearts but we can say it is well with our soul because Jesus Christ died for our sins so we can have eternal life. Praise Abba Father!

This story really touched my heart, and when the scriptures were being read, Lord I felt love in my spirit.

Truly God can gives courage in any situation. This is a very good lesson specially the history behind the hymn as a reminder that we are steward of our children not the owners. May the Lord give courage to those who need him.

still listening and comforted by this hymn in 2019 . God bless

This was a skillfully created video of the origin of the old hymn. I am grateful for hearing it again as it was in the far reaches of my memory and I had forgotten about it. As well, I am strengthened by the sermon told with the historical account. Bless

My soul is cast down. Please pray that the Lord return our 11 year old grandson, Bryan, whom we raised from birth. His dad now decided he wants him. Please, please pray he is returned to us. Thank you for your prayers. Al & Violeta

It’s a year today I lost my beloved dad, this was his favorite hymn. It’s well with his soul, he lived a good life, he was a pastor a follower of Christ. 😢 even on his dying bed he still had faith and was singing thjs hymn. I know it’s well with his soul.

Inspiring for me.2019 It is Well with my Soul-South Sudan

It is well with my soul, Thank you Jesus!!

It is well, It shall be well. It has a real meaning. I lost my beloved sister 16 Feb 2019. Its was hurting but now standing up again. Thank you Lord.

Though he slay me yet will I hope in him .

Very powerful when you look at the whole story behind it. That it wasn't written during a time when everything went fine in their lives, but when they had endured sufferings, still they managed to praise God and remain thankful towards Him! Still they managed to continue having their hope and trust in Him!

So touching.... God help me to know that in every situation it is well...,

In 1997, my wife and I lost our only son/child Michael 4 days after his 14th birthday. I must say "God has taught me so much about Himself and an intimacy I never dreamed possible!" Praise Yeshua (Jesus) for knocking my socks off so many times with His awesomeness.

This is the best song for a believer at a funeral.. our family has songs for our funerals. And that's about it. With dad leading songs all his life. Turns 92 in August. Mom plays piano at 83. We sang at assistant living once a week with hymnals to hand out. Dad tells stories behind songs. Including this one. He has a Great voice still too. Grandpa and Grandma. Both were like Singspirations. Singing out of the Red Book hymnal ..even when it's a different color like light blue or green. Lol. This and The Love of God are my favorite...and will be sung at my funeral..if the Lord tarries

I still feel the anguish of losing my dear mother 2 weeks ago...feeling angry to the doctors who nevef made her well & the helper who gave her covid...she died negative of covid..but the pain will not be toppled by the joy of my mother being with God...i do hope everyone will find comfort whatever were feeling or what has life thrown to us...😭

My favourite hymn of all time. The story behind it is so powerful yet wraught with tradgedy and sadness. The Lord uses these trials and makes something beautiful blossom from it. He would most likely never know his hymn to God would be a worldwide weapon of beautiful worship and hope that we still sing today over 200 years later..... 💜💜💜💜 Lord haste the day when my faith shall be sight. The clouds be rolled back as a scroll....

Such a sad, and very humbling story.....after hearing this, I have no problems. Almighty God, please forgive me 😪😢

This hymn played in a dream that woke me up (to still hear the tune) after my cousin died (whom I loved a great deal) and it helped still the morbid desire i felt to die when i heard of his death. I was inconsolable at that time of my life and this hymn comes at me at times when i most need it.

Though life gets tough and we feel God seems to be nowhere... God is still there. And He in the midst of great tragedies and personal strife we still need to be still and know... He is in this storm still in control. 😢 I found out even more friends died in my life... but yet I praise God to know they are with Jesus today. Amen! ✝️ ❤

“Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.” ‭‭John‬ ‭16:32‬

It is well with my soul, my best friend, my husband passed on and I was with him but I couldn't help out... I cried to God to save his life... But it is well 😭. Rest well love....you are happy in heaven

God bless us all. May we stand firm in the battle as well and remember to praise His glorious name. Amen.

I heard this for the first time at church today. Brought us to tears.

I never heard this story before. It brings even greater meaning to the song that I have loved as long as I can remember. Thanks for posting!

It is well with my soul. Please Lord forgive my sins I beg you. Amen

I love you , Mama. I’ll see you in Heaven. It’s my mom who taught me this song and played it on the piano. She played the piano for her church > 30 years. She taught elementary school 29 years. We told each other when she died, this would play on piano at her funeral. She was taken by the Slow horrific death of Alzheimer’s , losing all her dignity in her physical body and mind. But It is Well with my Soul. Whatever my lot ...

The song is so spiritual that that it gives me goosebumps that you are lost in deep thoughts of the reality of life.

What a Hymn! What an Inspiration! Awesome! Wonderful! Glory be to God Almighty!!!

Praise the Lord. I'm crying... Oh, how good God has been to me...

Tis will with my soul. Thank you David for bring me to the understanding of this great song

whoever made this, thank you! may the Lord bless you..

My all time favorite hymn…I have loved it for many many years…God bless you for this video 💞

My favorite hymn. Just beautiful. Praise God.

I cry😭Wow.. when I sing this song The meaning means zoo much more. Such powerful word💓

Story of Job from the Holy Bible stands in parallel to this! Thank God for the hope in Christ! We are not destined for a life just for here, but for eternity!!

Such a sad and tragic story. What a blessing though that God caused good to come out of it. I love this hymn.

Dear Lord God, as I listened to this story I felt sad and also amazed because of the courage you gave this man to say those words and write a hymn accepting the fact that he had lost all four of his children, to me it would have been terrible and who knows if I had been able to congregate again although I would not stop believing in your grace, because, that grace your bloodshed in the flesh of my Saviour Jesus the anointed one is what keeps me going, your infinite and unchanging love is out of this world. Blessed and praised be thy name now and forever, AMEN!!!

I just had a dream in which America was going through war and troubles. At the end of it a man began singing this song in a tremendous was. When I woke up I had to look this song up, for it had been a long time since I heard it; and this is what I found. God is awsome!!!

Such a touching story, by the way Jesus died for us and "It is well with my soul".

Thank you so much for this video! What encouragement from the Spafford family, who through deep loss still claimed that it is well with their souls. This hymn is such a beautiful reminder of accepting tragedy and still having the peace to say It is well with my soul. The Spafford's finally reunited in heaven.

Such an inspiration..... Suddenly my problems seem só insignificant....

I have the book "My Life and the Story of the Gospel Hymns" by Ira Sansky I have read what he wrote about this hymn. This is the first time I have ever heard ANYONE tell the true story of "It is well with my soul." Thank you for your research,! Thank you for this video!

Thank you for your encouraging words! How blessed are those of us who have accepted Christ as Lord & Savior to be part of His universal family on earth - "Until He comes!" A recent commenter said that they found the idea of a tapestry encouraging. I think that it was a poem which they referenced & one which I learned as a child & I write it here, in full, in the hope that it encourages others:- "My life is but a weaving, Between my Lord & me. I cannot choose the colors He weaveth steadily. Oft' times He weaveth sorrow, And I, in foolish pride Forget He sees the upper & I the underside. Not 'til the loom is silent & the shuttle ceases to fly. Will God unroll the canvas & reveal the reasons why. For the dark threads are as needful, In the Master's skillful hand, As the threads of gold & silver, In the pattern He has planned. He knows, He loves, He cares. Nothing this truth can dim. He gives the very best to those who leave the choice to Him". - Corrie ten Boom. For those who, for some reason, were mislead to think that I had abandoned my faith - you are quite, quite wrong! The Lord has chosen to keep me here on earth for now &, although the pain is intractable, as long as I live, I WILL serve! One morning, awake as usual at 3am, I walked into the garden with my dog & was thanking God for the beauty of the night sky & remembering others who may be awake & in pain without the comfort of a personal Savior. I fell hard & fast into a patch of mud. No one would hear if I cried for help &, physically, I could not get to my feet alone. So I told God I would lie in the mud until He lifted me. God brought to my remembrance the story of Job & the fact that he never received a reason for all the pain & heartache he endured. It was simply enough for Job that he knew that God had allowed it & was right beside him in the darkness! There is too much need for us to sit, twiddling our thumbs & the time for Christ's return fast approaching (although NO man can tell when - Mark 13 verse 32). Many are still unreached by the gospel & the world needs to see us share the practical love of Christ also. We have empty rooms which can be filled by those in need & intend, with the Lord's help, to see others brought to Christ & live, knowing that God does care. Maybe you have an empty room or two yourself - or, maybe you can just heat a frozen pizza & share fellowship with someone who crosses your path with a heavy heart of loneliness - "Whoever would be great among you must be a servant....even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve & gave His life as a ransom for many". Matthew 20 v 26-28

Knowing the origins of this I find it very hard not to tear up when singing it.

Love the story behind this hymn,that's why I love the hymns the stories behind them are inspiring and a blessing

I have always loved this song but never knew the sad ,yet beautiful meaning behind it.

So powerful and what an amazing story. Makes you wonder if you could even handle half of that and still say it is well.

Amen what a great story praise God for his deep faith to his Lord It is well

It is well with my soul. thanks

powerful powerful powerful...o the sweetness of the quiet confidence in trusting the Lord

such a tragic story. yet i LOVE THAT HYMN. GOD BLESS.

A deep faith this life requires.

I shed my tears because of this story. Thank you

Lost my 4 years old child .the day of her death I told my Savior it is well with my soul

We often have questions about what happens to us, like when mom told me that my brother had died and I didn't have any then, The other is when I lost my baby sister who was so beautiful Just like an Angel, I remember crying each time I looked at mom and the baby's bed without her. But what followed after changed everything, we prayed that God will give me a brother and He did it, Young Emma is so amazing and beautiful too. Mummy Glorifies God for everything. God will never leave you child of God

Bless the holy name of JESUS it is well with my soul.

I love this Song. I had no idea such loss was associated with it. I will always remember. God bless.

For years I have known of the loss of the young daughters, and that is why tears form every time I sing it.

Amazingly narrated . Thank you