When Peace Like A River (hymn with words and music) - Horatio G. Spafford

Horatio G. Spafford was known as a sincere, devout Christian. He was the father of four daughters, an active member of the Presbyterian church, and a loyal friend and supporter of D. L. Moody and other evangelical leaders of his day.

In November 1873, Spafford decided to take his entire family to Europe for a vacation, intending also to assist Moody in his evangelistic work once he arrived there. However, Spafford was unexpectedly detained in Chicago due to urgent business concerns, but decided to send his family aboard the S.S. Ville du Harve as scheduled. Midway through the trans-Atlantic voyage, S.S. Ville du Harve was struck by the English vessel Loch Earn and eventually foundered. Spafford's four daughters—Anna, eleven; Maggie, nine; Bessie, seven; and Tanetta, two—were among the 226 who perished in the aftermath. Mrs. Spafford, one of the few who were spared, sent her husband the heartbreaking telegram: "Saved alone."

Spafford immediately sailed for England to join his grief-stricken wife. As his ship passed the approximate location where his daughters had drowned, his deep sorrow mingled with his unwavering faith in God's goodness caused him to compose this hymn.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• hymn
• christian
• traditional
• baptist
• presbyterian
• methodist
• bible
• fundamentalist
• evangelical

[Mabelreign]

What a beautiful rendition. I feel such peace listening to it. Thank you and God bless you for posting this.

[TheHymnClub]

@Mabelreign You are most wecome, thank you for your comments.

[silverdesk48]

Thank you for posting the information about the song and its author. The story is truly an example of how we as Christians should live our lives.

[sonjahization]

this man went through alot in his life loosing all his children God Bless him for writting this hymn

[dinahdhine]

happy sabbath brother and sister

[Pelytha01]

I love this song so much, it is a beautiful song as I learnt this song from my late father when I was a little girl. This song was one of my late father's favorite songs. He always sang this song in Dutch language, therefore, I knew the song very well. Stay blessed to all of us in Jesus Christ The GOD Lord. Amen

[MultiMorwa]

A beautiful song during my sorrows ,desperation and joyful moments it is well

[amosmr7]

Beautiful!

[hglocko]

Beauty from ashes.

[tigerlilly66]

Truly an annointed, Spirit-led song. Written in the depths of loss and despair, it will be a shining jewel of true Christianity until the day the Trumpet sounds.

M A R A N A T H A !

[shakapuenda]

This is my favourite song. As a young kid I would listen to my Mom sing this song as she suffered daily. I could never understand how she found peace in suffering. Mon knew The Prince of Peace. Now she has that Blessed rest she hoped for.