William Cowper, the author of this hymn, experienced a number of tragic events in his life, beginning with the death of his mother when he was six years old, and he suffered from depression all of his life.
Born the son of an Anglican clergyman, Cowper studied for the law, but was so intimidated at the prospect of the law exam that he attempted suicide.
The story is told that Cowper determined to commit suicide by drowning himself in the Ouse River. He called a taxi to take him to the place on the river where he had determined to do the deed, but the taxi driver couldn't find it and eventually returned Cowper to his home. It seems possible that the driver sensed something amiss and drove aimlessly for awhile as a way of thwarting Cowper's plan. It also seems possible that God intervened to save Cowper –– perhaps using an incompetent driver as a saving grace.
Cowper was institutionalized in Cotton's mental asylum for a time. Upon his release, he went to church where he met the Reverend Morely Unwin and his wife, Mary. The Unwins took Cowper under their wing, and Cowper lived with them for more than two decades. When Rev. Unwin fell from a horse and was killed, John Newton (best known as the author of the hymn, "Amazing Grace") came to the Unwin home to pay his respects. He persuaded Cowper and Mrs. Unwin to move to Olney, where Newton served as the pastor of a church.
Then Mary Unwin became seriously ill, and it appeared that she would die. Cowper began to experience severe depression again, because Mary had been a mother figure to him and his best friend. That crisis inspired him to write the verse for "O for a Closer Walk with God" –– verse that comforted him in his distress. Fortunately, Mary recovered from her illness.
Cowper, who had written poetry for most of his life, worked with Newton on a collection of hymns that they entitled Olney Hymns. That collection included 280 of Newton's hymns and 68 of Cowper's hymns, including this one.
A brief biography of Horatio Spafford can be viewed HERE or another similar one HERE.
The words:
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Refrain: It is well, 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, Even so, it is well with my soul.
Words: Attributed to Dallan Forgaill, 8th Century Music: Slane, of Irish folk origin
Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart; Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art. Thou my best Thought, by day or by night, Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.
Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word; I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord; Thou my great Father, I Thy true son; Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.
Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight; Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight; Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tower: Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.
Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise, Thou mine Inheritance, now and always: Thou and Thou only, first in my heart, High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.
High King of Heaven, my victory won, May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun! Heart of my own heart, whatever befall, Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.
