Newsboys - 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.
[Chorus:]
It is well with my soul,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
My soul, my soul [x2]
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!
[Chorus x2:]
It is well with my soul,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
My soul, my soul [x2]
And Lord, haste the day when the 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.
[Chorus:]
It is well with my soul,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
My soul, my soul [x3]
Video
Newsboys - It Is Well
Meaning & Inspiration
Newsboys' rendition of "It Is Well," released on November 4, 2014, as part of the album *Hallelujah For the Cross*, breathes new life into a timeless declaration of unwavering faith amidst life's storms. This song is not merely a contemporary Christian music track; it is a profound meditation on a peace that transcends circumstances, rooted deeply in the truth of scripture. The genesis of the hymn itself, penned by Horatio Spafford in the aftermath of unimaginable personal tragedy, provides the bedrock for its enduring power. Spafford, having lost his fortune in the Great Chicago Fire and then his four daughters at sea in a shipwreck, still found solace and proclaimed, "It is well with my soul." This historical context is crucial for understanding the song's core message: true well-being originates not from outward prosperity or comfort, but from an internal spiritual steadfastness that anchors the soul to God, regardless of the tempest.
The lyrics artfully articulate this profound assurance. The opening lines paint vivid imagery of peace flowing like a river, a divine calm that can attend our path even when sorrows crash like formidable sea billows. This speaks directly to the concept of God's abiding presence and His promise of peace that surpasses all understanding, as Paul wrote in Philippians 4:7. The song’s central affirmation, "Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul," is a testament to the transformative power of divine instruction. It highlights that this peace is not an accidental feeling but a learned response, a posture of trust cultivated through relationship with God. This is echoed in David's lament and subsequent praise in Psalm 42:11, "Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God." The Newsboys' interpretation emphasizes that this "well-being" is a declaration of faith, an act of will rooted in the conviction of God's sovereignty.
The second verse delves into the transformative power of forgiveness, a cornerstone of Christian faith. The "bliss of this glorious thought" that one's sin, "not in part but the whole," is nailed to the cross signifies the completeness of redemption offered through Jesus Christ. This directly aligns with the New Testament declaration found in Hebrews 10:10, where Christ's sacrifice is presented as a once-for-all offering. The relief from the burden of sin, allowing one to say, "I bear it no more," is a source of immense joy and prompts the resounding praise, "Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!" This liberation from guilt and condemnation is a profound aspect of spiritual health, allowing the believer to walk in newfound freedom.
The final verse looks forward to a future hope, the ultimate consummation of faith when "the faith shall be sight." This anticipates the glorious return of Christ, when all earthly struggles will cease and believers will be united with their Lord. The imagery of clouds rolling back as a scroll and the trumpet's sound ignites a sense of eschatological anticipation, aligning with passages like 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 which describe the Lord's descent. Even in the face of this ultimate revelation, the song reiterates the enduring truth, "Even so, it is well with my soul." This final declaration solidifies the message that the believer's well-being is not contingent on present circumstances or even future earthly events, but is fundamentally secured in Christ. The Newsboys' powerful delivery amplifies this message, urging listeners to find their unshakable peace in the eternal promises of God.