Guy Penrod + David Phelps - 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.
Refrain:
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
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.
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!
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
Video
Bill & Gloria Gaither - It Is Well With My Soul [Live] ft. Guy Penrod, David Phelps
Meaning & Inspiration
The rendition of "It Is Well With My Soul" by Guy Penrod and David Phelps, featured on the compilation *Bill Gaither's 30 Favorite Homecoming Hymns* released in 2014, offers a profoundly moving testament to enduring faith amidst unimaginable sorrow. This classic hymn, penned by Horatio Spafford in the wake of a devastating personal tragedy, transcends mere melody to become a powerful declaration of God's sovereignty and peace. Spafford, a successful businessman and lawyer, experienced the loss of his entire family in a shipwreck on the Atlantic Ocean, a loss that would have crushed any lesser spirit. Yet, it was during his solitary journey across the sea to meet his grieving wife that the words of this hymn flowed from his soul, a remarkable testament to a faith anchored deeper than earthly circumstances. The song’s core message, so eloquently delivered by Penrod and Phelps, speaks to the profound peace that surpasses all understanding, a peace that God promises to those who trust in Him, as found in Philippians 4:7.
The strength of this particular performance lies not in complex vocal arrangements, but in the raw, unvarnished sincerity that Penrod and Phelps bring to the lyrics. Their voices, distinct yet harmonizing beautifully, carry the weight of the hymn's history and its timeless truth. The message resonates with the unwavering conviction that even when the world crumbles, and trials seem insurmountable, the believer can still find an inner stillness. This is the peace that Paul speaks of in Romans 5:1, “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” The assurance that "all is well" is not a denial of pain, but a recognition of a deeper reality, a spiritual security that remains steadfast. It reflects the profound trust described in Proverbs 3:5-6, which encourages us to lean not on our own understanding but to acknowledge God in all our ways, so that He may direct our paths. The sheer fortitude captured by Penrod and Phelps invites listeners to consider their own trials through the lens of eternal perspective, to find that same anchoring peace that allowed Spafford to write, "My soul, be thou ever glad. My spirit to the heavens is drawn. The Lord is mine, my own, my all. My soul is well, my soul is well." This powerful rendition serves as a potent reminder that true well-being is rooted not in the absence of storms, but in the presence of the God who calms them.