Horatio Spafford was a wealthy lawyer and businessman in Chicago during the 19th century. His security was shattered by the death of his four-yeas-old son and the fire of 1871 which destroyed many of the buildings he owned. A planned family trip to Europe was altered by business concerns but wife and four daughters set sail without him. During the voyage a collision with another ship resulted in the drowning deaths of the four girls, although his wife survived. As Spafford sailed to meet his grieving wife he passed the area where the tragedy had taken place and it inspired him to write the words for the hymn It Is Well With My Soul, Henry Bliss wrote the music and named the tune after the ship
This past week a group of studio musicians in Nashville, Tennessee, came together virtually rather than physically to sing this hymn as comfort and encouragement to all who are struggling through the COVID-19 pandemic. Not only are many ill with this virus, and tens of thousands dying, there is a sense of deep uncertainty and even dread about what is to come in every sphere of life.
When I heard the opening of this version I wasn't sure if I really liked it. But the faces of the musicians touched me, and then so did the music. I've listened to it a number of times now, and shared it with others as a prayer. .
Some of the verses of the original are just not where I am, theologically, but that opening stanza and chorus are a prayer of assurance we all need to hear right now. God comes to us in our bewilderment and fear and loss, We are not alone, thanks be to God.
https://www.wsmv.com/video/virtual-choir-it-is-well-with-my-soul/video_bb046e1a-629c-53ad-9ae7-fe80f6566893.html
The global climate emergency still matters even as we address a pandemic. Today's Groundling blog
https://groundlingearthyheavenly.blogspot.com/2020/03/the-climate-emergency-still-matters.html
That hymn has been part of my spiritual heritage for decades, and, like you, I find all the verses do not fit with my present theological position - but he tune is very moving (especially with a lush orchestral accompaniment) - and the first verse especially is a reminder of the ever present Divine accompaniment in all of life's circumstances.
ReplyDeleteOver the years verses of the hymn have been rewritten or omitted, and others added, which is a good thing. Your comment about "the ever present Divine accompaniment in all of life's circumstances" is well put, Judy.
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