Anthem Lights - It Is Well Lyrics
Lyrics
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say
It is well, it is well with my soul
It is well (it is well)
With my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul
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
It is well (it is well)
With my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul
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
It is well (it is well)
With my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul
It is well, it is well with my soul
Video
It Is Well With My Soul | Anthem Lights
Meaning & Inspiration
Anthem Lights delivered a powerful rendition of the timeless hymn "It Is Well With My Soul" on July 14, 2017, breathing new vocal life into a message that has comforted generations. This deeply moving piece carries with it a profound historical narrative, originating from the personal tragedy of Horatio G. Spafford in the late 19th century. After enduring immense financial ruin and the devastating loss of his four daughters at sea, Spafford penned these words while crossing the very waters where his children perished. His ability to declare "It is well with my soul" amidst such crushing sorrow is not a testament to the absence of pain, but to a radical, unwavering trust in God’s sovereignty and goodness, a message Anthem Lights captures with striking clarity.
The opening lines of the hymn immediately set a compassionate scene, acknowledging the fluctuating nature of life's experiences. "When peace, like a river, attendeth my way / When sorrows like sea billows roll" paints a vivid picture of both serene prosperity and overwhelming adversity. This is a faith that does not deny suffering but faces it directly. The subsequent declaration, "Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say / It is well, it is well with my soul," reveals the divine source of this extraordinary peace. It’s not a humanly conjured stoicism, but a peace imparted by God Himself, a peace that transcends understanding as described in Philippians 4:6-7, guarding hearts and minds in Christ Jesus even when circumstances are dire. This conviction, born from deep spiritual formation and divine instruction, allows the believer to maintain inner equilibrium regardless of external storms, mirroring James 1:2-4, which speaks of considering trials pure joy because they produce perseverance and maturity.
The song then shifts its focus to the pivotal truth of salvation, proclaiming, "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." This declaration of complete absolution is the bedrock of Christian peace. The hymn’s profound joy in identifying sin as entirely "nailed to the cross" directly echoes biblical truth, reminding us of Colossians 2:13-14, where we learn that God "canceled the record of debt that stood against us...nailing it to the cross." This complete removal means, as Romans 8:1 assures, there is now "no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." It is this radical, all-encompassing forgiveness, purchased by Christ's sacrifice, that allows the soul to truly declare its well-being, irrespective of outward circumstances, transforming sorrow into a profound, worshipful acknowledgment of divine grace. The reiteration of "Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, o my soul" after this powerful theological statement emphasizes that gratitude for redemption is an intrinsic part of this well-being.
Finally, the hymn lifts our gaze to the future hope of Christ's return, a powerful eschatological affirmation: "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." This verse grounds the present peace in a future certainty, the promised return of Jesus. The longing for faith to become "sight" speaks to the ultimate fulfillment of all God's promises. The imagery of the "clouds be rolled back as a scroll" and the "trump shall resound" directly references passages such as Revelation 1:7, which states, "He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him," and 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, detailing the Lord's descent with a trumpet call. This forward-looking hope provides a comprehensive, enduring foundation for spiritual well-being, ensuring that even in life's most challenging moments, the soul can remain steadfast. Anthem Lights, through their impeccable vocal arrangements and reverent performance, amplifies this timeless message, making it resonate afresh with those seeking deep, abiding peace rooted in God's unchanging character and promises. Their rendition serves as a powerful reminder that true contentment is not found in the absence of hardship, but in the unwavering presence and promises of God, declaring that through all of life’s varied seasons, it is truly well with the soul.