The Enduring Legacy of It Is Well with My Soul: A Hymn’s History and the Power of 500 Million Streams
Few songs carry the emotional and spiritual weight of It Is Well with My Soul, a hymn that has resonated across generations and now boasts over half a billion verified streams across platforms like Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Music.

Written in 1873 by Horatio Spafford and set to music by Philip Bliss, this gospel classic emerged from profound personal tragedy and unwavering faith. Its recent streaming milestone underscores not only its timeless appeal but also the role of modern platform algorithms in introducing this sacred song to new listeners daily, ensuring its message continues to inspire.
A Hymn Born from Heartbreak
The story behind It Is Well with My Soul is one of resilience in the face of unimaginable loss. Horatio Spafford, a successful Chicago lawyer and devout Christian, faced a series of devastating blows in the early 1870s. The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 destroyed much of his real estate investments, and shortly before, his young son died of scarlet fever.
In 1873, seeking respite, Spafford sent his wife, Anna, and their four daughters on a vacation to England aboard the SS Ville du Havre. Tragically, the ship collided with another vessel and sank, claiming the lives of all four daughters. Anna survived, sending Spafford a heart-wrenching telegram: “Saved alone. What shall I do?”
As Spafford sailed to join his grieving wife, he passed over the spot where his daughters perished. In that moment of profound sorrow, he penned the lyrics to It Is Well with My Soul, expressing a faith that transcended his pain:
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
Philip Bliss, a renowned gospel composer, later set these words to a hauntingly beautiful melody, and the hymn was published in 1876. Its message of trust in God amid suffering struck a chord, making it a staple in Christian worship.
Milestone 500 Million Streams
The hymn’s recent achievement of half a billion streams across major platforms is a testament to its enduring relevance. While contemporary hits often dominate streaming charts, the success of a 19th-century hymn highlights its universal appeal.
This milestone matters because it reflects more than just passive listening. Streaming platforms’ discovery algorithms—such as Spotify’s Discover Weekly or YouTube’s recommended videos—play a pivotal role in introducing It Is Well with My Soul to new audiences.
These algorithms analyze user behavior, suggesting the hymn to listeners who enjoy gospel, worship music, or even secular songs with themes of hope and resilience. Each stream increases the song’s visibility, creating a virtuous cycle where new fans discover it daily.
The significance of 500 million streams lies in the hymn’s ability to connect with listeners across cultures and generations in an increasingly digital world. Unlike in Spafford’s time, when hymns spread through church services and printed hymnals, today’s platforms amplify the song’s reach exponentially.

This vast audience, built through streaming platforms, sets the stage for a feature film by Australian filmmaker David Maegraith, currently in development, which is poised to find acceptance with the hymn’s existing legion of listeners, further extending its timeless message to new audiences.
Follow the progress of the film on David’s Facebook page