Anthem Lights - It Is Well With My Soul 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' rendition of "It Is Well With My Soul," released on July 14, 2017, offers a profound meditation on enduring peace amidst life's inevitable tempests. The song's bedrock lies in the extraordinary circumstances surrounding its original composition by Horatio Spafford. Spafford, a prosperous businessman and devout Presbyterian, suffered unimaginable losses in swift succession: the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 destroyed his business and home, and shortly thereafter, while traveling to Europe, his four daughters perished when their ship, the *Ville du Havre*, was tragically sunk. It was during this devastating journey that his wife, Anna, sent a message to her husband at sea, famously stating, "Saved alone." Spafford, deeply moved by his faith even in the face of such profound grief, penned these timeless words, transforming personal tragedy into a testament of unwavering trust in God's sovereignty. This historical backdrop imbues Anthem Lights' performance with a powerful resonance, reminding us that the song's declaration of peace is not born of a life free from hardship, but from a soul anchored in an unshakeable hope.
The message of "It Is Well With My Soul" is a profound exploration of finding solace and assurance not in the absence of tribulation, but in the steadfast presence of God. The opening lines, "When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll," immediately establish this central theme. This isn't a naive optimism but a hard-won peace, a profound understanding that true well-being originates from a divine source that transcends circumstances. The peace described here is akin to the peace God promises in John 14:27, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." This divine peace is not contingent on pleasant conditions but is an internal steadfastness that remains even when external "sorrows like sea billows roll." The repeated affirmation, "It is well, it is well with my soul," acts as a powerful mantra, a deliberate choice to hold onto God's promises and presence, regardless of outward appearances.
The second verse delves into the liberating truth of Christian redemption, 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 is the theological core of the song's enduring power. It points directly to the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, as described in Colossians 2:14: "having canceled the charge of our sin that stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross." The emphasis on "not in part but the whole" is crucial; it signifies a complete absolution, a wiping clean of all sin, past, present, and future, through Christ's finished work. This is the source of the "bliss" and the freedom from the burden of sin that allows the soul to declare its well-being even amidst pain. The exhortation to "Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, o my soul" is the natural overflow of such profound grace, an outpouring of gratitude for salvation and liberation.
The final verse looks forward to the ultimate consummation of faith: "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." This anticipates the glorious return of Christ, a moment eagerly awaited by believers as described in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17: "For the Lord himself will descend from heaven, with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord." This eschatological hope provides an ultimate anchor for the soul's well-being. It assures that while earthly trials are temporary, God's promises are eternal, and the final victory belongs to Him. The resolute declaration, "Even so, it is well with my soul," encapsulates the ultimate confidence that Christ's presence and eventual triumph guarantee a lasting peace that surpasses all understanding. Anthem Lights' rendition captures this profound journey of faith, from acknowledging present struggles to celebrating the finished work of Christ and embracing the hope of His glorious return, offering listeners a deeply moving and spiritually enriching experience.