By: Obed Pineda
Holy Writ declares through the quill of the apostle to the Gentiles, “What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding” (1st Corinthians 14:15, emphasis added). Upon carefully studying this pericope, it is important to remember that these words were written to remind the Corinthians about the importance found in every act of worship, done so in order. This, Paul reinforced stating, “How is it then brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification” (1st Corinthians 14:26, emphasis added). There is no question that the apostle’s focus is on worship’s purpose to instruct and improve a worshiper’s spiritual life, thus it becomes fundamental that “all things be done decently and in order” (1st Corinthians 14:40, emphasis added). Nonetheless, it is just as important to observe that the apostle continuously mentions that all acts of worship (teaching, praying, singing, giving, and partaking of the Lord’s supper) will produce spiritual growth in a person when each one is done with the appropriate attitude (i.e. spirit) and with the proper focus (i.e. understanding). Although this is undeniably true, it is also true that this instruction can sometimes become a challenge when one worships in song. Because singing has the instinctual ability to pull on the strings of man’s heart more easily, too often we become smitten by the melody of the song and forget to meditate on what that spiritual song is exhorting. Verily, a decent number of hymns are so beloved by everyone that it does not matter in what language it may be sung, it will be immediately recognized from the beautiful sound of its tune. Certain hymnals are so cherished by society, that every lyric of the song is committed to memory. However, here lies a perfect example of the challenge mentioned before: how often do we make the time to study those beloved lyrics with “the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11, emphasis added)? Once more, the Bible reiterates that the Lord’s church must “let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching, and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts” (Colossians 3:16, emphasis added). It is worth noting that the Holy Spirit once more illuminates that the purpose of worshiping in song is to enrich us with the word of Christ, when it is done with grace in our hearts. Thus, when we arrive to the realization that this is also undoubtedly true for the composer of the hymnals we have come to value so highly, a treasure trove of spiritual knowledge can be found. Remember that logic dictates that a good teacher must first understand well the subject he seeks to teach in order for him to do so effectively. Case in point: Mr. Horatio G. Spafford’s “It Is Well with My Soul.” This hymn is a favorite among many people today, especially during times of turmoil. The story goes that this song was the fruit of a chain of tragic occurrences experienced by Spafford. This string of agony began with the death of his young son, followed by his monetary ruin resulting from the infamous Great Chicago Fire of 1871 decimating the properties that he had heavily invested in the Chicago area and worsened by the economic turmoil that took place only two years after. Seeking to provide some manner of comfort and rest to his family from their emotional woes, Spafford and his family decided to travel to Europe on the SS Ville du Havre. Due to business matters brought upon by the Chicago Fire, Spafford sent his wife and four daughters ahead of him. Lamentably, after clashing with another sea vessel, the ship his family was on rapidly sank in the Atlantic Ocean, resulting in the death of his four daughters. Of his family, only his wife survived that calamitous event. Thus, it is from the depths of this despair that Spafford pulled inspiration to scribe “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’” (Spafford,Songs of the Church, hymn 280, stanza 1). Knowing the sorrows from whence this hymn arose, it immediately emulates the powerful words expressed by Job, who after suffering great loss similar to the hymnist, declared “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 2:21, emphasis added). Although it is clear that Spafford was not directly inspired by the Holy Spirit such as the amanuensis of Job was (2nd Timothy 3:16-17, 2nd Peter 1:19-21), his knowledge of Scripture is evident in his expression of confidence in the Lord’s will. Spafford was able to find strength and solace in knowing that he was not the first man to live such bitter tribulations, but was also able to confirm that “he who dwells in the secret place of the Most High, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1, emphasis added). His chorus of “It is well with my soul” mirrors the inspired Psalmist who continues, “I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust’” (Psalm 91:2, emphasis added). It is imperative to bring to memory that the Psalms are also known as the Hymn Book of the Hebrews. Like the hymn currently being examined in the light of Scripture, the Psalms were sung to instruct and improve the people’s faith in Jehovah God. Thus, understanding the background of what motivated Spafford to pen this song and how it holds Biblical doctrine within its stanzas, allows all who sing it to understand that it is teaching the significance of being “under the shadow of the Almighty.” When we intone this hymn, we must comprehend that we are acknowledging that traumatic situations similar to those of Job, can occur and to be under the Almighty’s shadow does not assure us that those circumstances will be obsolete from our lives. Note that the ninety-first Psalm holds that there are snares, pestilence, terror, war, and violence that surrounds us in this world, but our confidence is that in the midst of all it “He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler” (Psalm 91:4-6, emphasis added). Indubitably, it was His truth that comforted the grieving hymnist as he wrote, “My sin – O the bliss of this glorious tho’t – 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” (Spafford,Songs of the Church, hymn 280, stanza 2)! Therefore, it is clear that the lesson being taught in this spiritual song is that the peace of God does not equate to the absence of sickness, turmoil, or death. It is knowing that He is with those who abide in Him thru it all, like a Divine shadow.