“It Is Well With My Soul”

Day 13

“It Is Well With My Soul”
Inscribed to James Kallam


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, 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.


3. 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.

Text: Horatio G. Spafford
Music: John C. Hallett
© Copyright, 1958 by The Rodeheaver Company

So, how is it with you today? Is it well?
How about your spiritual condition?
Spiritual condition will addressed in today’s song.

John Hallett took the verses of one of the great hymns of the church, added a new melody and a wonderful piano accompaniment and created a great arrangement! For most people this will be a “new arrangement” although it is over 50 years old.

Written for solo voice, the verse opens with a “blues” feel. John was a great pianist and he loved a variety of chords and harmonies. He was not afraid to do “new things.”

Dynamically, the piece grows in intensity from mezzo piano (mp) at the beginning until the fermata just before the end of the verse that is sung fortissimo (ff)! At the end of the piece, Hallett brings back timing of the familiar version with an emphasis on “It is well.” The piece ends with the piano playing pianissimo (pp). It is as if he says, “My soul is at peace. All is well!”

If you are a pianist, you will have fun with this piece. This piece is inscribed to James Kallam, John Hallett's friend of many years and fellow professor at Northeastern Bible Institute in Essex Fells, New Jersey.

Today's blog is dedicated to my friend and wonderful church musician, Paul Ferrin. Paul knew John and loved a number of his songs.  Regarding the tune of "It Is Well,," Paul wrote to me, "I think that is my top favorite of anything he's ever done."  To see the music, scroll to the end of the blog.  You can enlarge the music by clicking on the page you desire to see.

Verse 1

Do you know that the Bible talks about peace being like a river?

Isaiah 66:12 For thus says the LORD, "Behold, I extend peace to her like a river,And the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream."

Isaiah 48:18 "If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your righteousness like the waves of the sea."

God wanted to give peace to Israel, but they didn’t listen to Him.

He offers peace to us “like a river.” A river bring life and movement and refreshing and, oh, so much more!

Can you say like the old spiritual “I’ve got peace like a river ina my soul.”
When do we need peace? Particularly “when sorrows like sea billows roll.”

Jesus gave us these words: "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)

Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

The Psalmist had confidence in the Lord no matter what happened. He stated: “But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you.” (Psalm 33:18-22)

Verse 2

Ever been buffeted? The word means “strike against forcefully,” as in “The winds buffeted the tent.” In the middle of difficult trials there is a “blest assurance” that takes control of our lives and that assurance is found in Jesus Christ who saw our “helpless estate” and did something about it! He gave His life for us on the cross so that we would have forgiveness of sin and the ability to be in relationship to Him.

Verse 3 describes the glorious hope we have in Jesus Christ. In fact, the writer asks God to speed up that day!

So, as we wait for that day, let us do what the Psalmist did:

Psalm 63:8 My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me.

Psalm 94:19 When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.

In the end…whatever our situation…we proclaim “It is well with my soul!”
 

                               (click on the piano score to enlarge)