Some of the Church’s best-loved hymns were born in grief and hardship. Their stories still encourage us today.
On The Worship Hour we often play classic hymns alongside contemporary gospel. Many of these songs were written in seasons of great difficulty.
“It Is Well with My Soul” was written by Horatio Spafford in 1873 after he lost his four daughters at sea. Sailing over the place where they died, he wrote, “When sorrows like sea billows roll… it is well, it is well with my soul.”
“Amazing Grace” came from John Newton, a former slave-ship captain whose life was transformed by the grace of God. His hymn has become a song of hope for millions.
“Great Is Thy Faithfulness”, by Thomas Chisholm, was drawn from Lamentations 3:22–23 — “his compassions fail not. They are new every morning.”
These hymns remind us that worship is not reserved for good days. Praise in the storm is some of the most powerful praise there is.
