The Story Behind the Song

"I have some important business to take care of, so I need you and the children to travel to England without me for now. I’ll catch the next boat and meet you in London," Horatio Spafford told his wife and four daughters as they prepared to embark on their voyage aboard the Ville du Havre in 1873. They had no idea that this journey would lead to unimaginable tragedy.

The ship tragically collided with another vessel and sank in the Atlantic Ocean. In this horrific accident, all four of his daughters lost their lives, while only his wife survived. When she arrived in England, her heartache poured forth in a telegram to Horatio: “Saved alone. What shall I do?” Without hesitation, Horatio made arrangements to sail to England.

On his journey, he requested the captain to notify him when they reached the spot where the Ville du Havre had gone down. As they crossed that somber marker, hope flooded his heart, and comforting words emerged in his mind. These words became the foundation for the beloved hymn “It Is Well With My Soul.” Horatio took solace in the belief that his children were in the care of God and that he would be reunited with them in heaven. He held onto the promise of resurrection and experienced the Holy Spirit’s comfort, reminding him of a greater, eternal perspective.

God meets us in our pain and honors our faith as we reach for Him. Horatio’s journey exemplifies the strength that comes from hope; he grieved differently from those who have no faith. To proclaim that your soul is well, even in grief, is a remarkable triumph of the spirit. May you find the same strength in your life, inspired by Horatio’s story, so that you, too, can declare, “It is well with my soul.”