Tonight at mgpc we sang ‘When Peace Like A River’. The midi arrangement from DM Music takes some getting used to, to say the least. In any case, everyone was very enthusiastic.
It could be observed that this hymn has just about the most famous and remarkable back-story of modern song of praise.
Justin Taylor notes that on November 21, 1873 the steamship Ville du Havre sank. Included among the 246 who were lost were the four daughters of Horatio Spafford. Spafford is reputed to have written ‘When Peace Like A River’ while at sea, on route to be reunited with his wife, who had survived the wreck of the Ville du Havre.
Here’s Taylor’s post.
The lyrics: (check out some more notes at Cyberhymnal)
1.
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.
2.
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
3.
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
4.
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
5.
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
6.
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.
Refrain
The fourth and fifth verses above are usually absent from modern hymnals. My personal favourite is verse three: my sin is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more, praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
In addition to the loss of his daughters Spafford also lost a son and endured financial ruin. Truly his hope was on promises that he would not see fulfilled in this life.
Here’s a Mars Hill YouTube about Spafford. (HT to Taylor for this as well)
Here’s a YouTube of Christian Pop/Rock band Jars of Clay singing the hymn. Their harmonies are not traditional, but it’s still quite nice.
mgpcpastor's blog 