Hey! So, it’s been a while I’ve written on the Lifegiva Playlist! This week I’m going to be doing something different. I’m going to be taking us back to the old times. The days of should I call it “Organised Music” Lol! If you guessed Hymns! You’re right. I’m calling this the Hymn week!
I love to think I’m old school sometimes because of my weird taste in music but I looove Hymnals. I grew up in a church where till today Hymns are an important part of the service (Foursquare). The depth of each word, each line in a hymnal is totally out of this world. The emotions behind every song is extremely tangible. It’s usually obvious that every song is written from personal experience, a place of hurt, joy, failure or whatever the writer feels at that moment. Songs we listen to nowadays take out lines from hymns, so you see they can never be old fashioned.
Hymns take us directly to scriptures, they give you the assurance you need at certain moments in your life. Do you ever sing along with hymns and when you sing a line you nod unconsciously in agreement or in belief in what you’re singing? Hymns are like poems in form of music. Sometimes they’re like love songs to the ears. Now I totally understand why David was a man after God’s heart. The book of Psalms is filled with magical words that can make one weak Lol.
Hymns tell stories, they give assurance when needed and they’re prayers as well. They even have history. That’s why I’m going to be talking about one of my favourite hymns of all time called “It is well with my Soul” written by the amazing Horatio Spafford and composed by Phillip Bliss (I don’t know them but I’d like to think they’re amazing for creating a wonderful piece of art).
You might not know this but he wrote this song after he lost his first child at the age of 2 during the Great Chicago Fire, literally went bankrupt during an economic downturn in 1873, lost his four daughters when their ship sank on their way to Europe with their Mother. She was the only one who survived and she sent him the now famous telegram saying, “Saved alone”.
He was Inspired to write the words of the famous hymn on his way to meet his grieving wife as his ship passed near where his daughters died. He later had more children but his son died again at the age of four due to scarlet fever.
Hmm…. Imagine all of this happened to one man!! I’m sure in this part of the world most people would be quick to say his village people are following him, some people might be so quick to even give up on God (I’m sure that thought would cross my mind too). Instead, this man sat down and said,
“When peace like a river attendeth my way,
when sorrows like sea billows roll,
whatever my lot thou has thought me to say…
It is well, it is well with my soul”
To me, that is a different level of love, faith, hope and trust in God. Some of us are too quick to say no matter what happens to us in life, we’d never give up on God but how many of us can actually do that? When trials and temptations arise that we can’t even imagine, would our song still be no matter what I go through it is well with me because I have God and he’ll remain the author and finisher of my faith.
As we look back on our lives and times when we’ve found ourselves giving up on God because I won’t lie I’ve done that too let our resolve be that no matter what I face I know I serve a God who loves me no matter what problems, sins or anything and whatever the devil brings my way my love for God will not go weary.
This is the lyrics to the famous Hymn by Horatio Spafford. Funny, it has more than two verses. I always thought it was just two. Enjoy and please drop comments telling us about hymns you love that has touched your life in one way or the other. Watch this space for my next favorite hymn. Thank you.
It Is Well With My Soul Hymn Lyrics
When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to know
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Refrain:
It is well, (it is well),
With my soul, (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!
For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life,
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.
But Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of 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,
A song in the night, oh my soul!
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When I also read the story of Horatio Spafford, I was so touched, the hymn had a new meaning to me, it came alive. So I began searching the history of many hymns and its been a whole different experience for me. Thanks for sharing.
Aww wow!. You are welcome