It is Well with my Soul

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Refrain

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,
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,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh trump of the angel! Oh voice of the Lord!
Blessèd hope, blessèd 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 trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

words from http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/i/t/i/itiswell.htm

Recently as I was snooping around on Amazon.com looking for good hymns I found an album by the Celebration Choir of England. If you like old hymns with good choirs, check it out. There was one song in particular that caught my attention, the one I posted the words to above.

Many of you are familiar with the story of how the author of the words lost his children at sea, and when he passed by that spot later he wrote the hymn. Truly, most of us have not suffered anywhere near that level. May we all be well if that day comes for us.

There were two verses to the hymn that I wasn't familiar with.

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.

This verse captures what it means to be a Christian - to live or die, we live and die to Jesus. We place our confidence in him.

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!
Blessèd hope, blessèd rest of my soul!

Unlike some, we have a hope. Unlike those who place their hope in this life, our fate does not end when our eyes close for the last time. We wait for Jesus to come and claim us. The grave will claim us all, but the grave is not our ultimate fate.

amen and amen!!