Psalm 23 | It is Well

Psalm 23 | It is Well

Liturgy Lessons: March 4, 2018 (Third Sunday Lent)
Call to Worship: Psalm 19:1-11
Prayer of Invocation
Hymn of Praise: Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty (#376)
Confession of Sin: Psalm 119:167-176
Kyrie Eleison – “Lord, have mercy”
Assurance of Pardon: Hebrews 10:12-17 and 1 Peter 2:24-25
Songs of Assurance: Psalm 23 (Morton); O Great God (Kauflin)
Catechism/Congregational Prayers
Reading of the Word: Luke 4:14-30
Doxology: #733
Sermon: Rev. Eric Irwin
Tithes and Offerings
The Lord’s Supper: It is Well (#691); My Soul Finds Rest in God Alone
Closing Hymn: God of Grace and God of Glory

Psalm 23
Text: Isaac Watts (1719)
Music: Luke Morton (2013)

A hill outside Bethlehem, ca. 1000 BC
There he is, a young shepherd on the hillside, sitting in the afternoon sun, back against a boulder with one knee raised to hold his lyre. As the lad strums and hums, he is working out a melody for the first thought on his mind, “the Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” He is tending to his sheep, but also tending to his heart, for he knows he is comforted by another rod and staff. His cup overflows with contentment in these years, and little does he know that he will need to draw on this musical language of praise for the rest of his journey as a shepherd king.

A home in London, 1678
There he is, a child genius already learning Latin at age 4, astounding his parents with not only his intellect but his entire non-conformist manner. He would go on to learn Greek at age 9, and even take up French at age 11 to converse with his refugee neighbors. His gift for language would eventually make him the most prodigious and popular poet of protestant praise. Though illness took him frequently through the valley of the shadow of death, he would lend all of the passion in his five-foot, feeble frame to versify God’s word in the vernacular, and celebrate Christ through the Psalms. He extracted “Joy to the World” from Psalm 98, and “Jesus Shall Reign” from Psalm 72. He was particularly drawn to one of young David’s greatest compositions, Psalm 23, penning no less than four versions of the pastoral ode.

A town outside Seattle, 2013
There he is, a troubadour-pastor in suburbia, strolling on the bike path behind his condo, his guitar strapped over his shoulder. He is a young father enjoying a rare moment of creative space in his day, and an even rarer sun-break in the constant May mist. He stops and closes his eyes, focusing on the gentle murmur of Issaquah creek. He scrambles down the bank, leans against a sturdy fir tree, and begins to work out a tune that runs as simple and clear as the stream beside him. He is tending to his heart, but he is also tending to his flock, for he knows they love to sing, and it is his delight to tailor-make songs for their worship. His cup of praise runs over, and the oil of inspiration anoints his head. God has led him by this stream, and the spirit is giving to him songs of praise that others will draw on long after he has left the hills and streams of Issaquah.

A church in Issaquah, March 4th, 2018
There they are, a courageous congregation-choir, offering up their unpolished Presbyterian potpourri of praise, their hearts and hands raised to the Good Shepherd. They are sheep who have all strayed in their own way, but now they have been found and gathered here. They are singing with King David, Isaac Watts, and Luke Morton, and in this moment their sanctuary becomes a green pasture, for the Lord is in their midst. He has led them here to drink living water, and now His spirit is laying them each down in a sense of rest and repose. They will then feast at the table prepared for them. What else could they want? They are doing the things for which they were created, and through which the Lord is restoring their souls. They know now, more than ever, that goodness and mercy will follow them all the days of their lives, and they will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Lead sheet
Link to recording

It is Well

Text: Horatio Spafford (1873)
Tune: VILLE DU HAVRE, Phillip Bliss (1876)

Many of you probably already know about this one. It is arguably the most famous hymn story ever told. If you don’t already know the story behind “It is well with my soul,” then I suggest you sit down now, grab a box of Kleenex, and be prepared to catch your jaw after it drops.

Horatio G. Spafford was a successful lawyer and businessman who lived with his wife, Anna, and their five children in Chicago. In 1871, tragedy struck…twice. Their only son died of pneumonia, and then the great Chicago fire destroyed most of Spafford’s business. Two years later, seeking a fresh start, the family decided to travel to Europe. In November of 1873, Anna and the four girls boarded the French ocean liner Ville du Havre, preparing to cross the Atlantic. Horatio had to stay behind to take care of some business, but he had planned take another ship a few days later to join his wife and daughters. About four days into their crossing, the Ville du Havre collided with another ship and sank in only 12 minutes. Among the victims were all four of the Spafford children. Only Anna survived. When she landed in Cardiff nine days later, she wired her husband, “Saved alone, what shall I do?”

Horatio got on the next available vessel across the Atlantic. When the ship was about four days out, the captain informed Spafford that they were over the place where his daughters perished. The ship apparently stopped for a brief time, and it was there in that ocean of grief that Horatio Spafford penned the famous words to this hymn:

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.

How is it possible that this modern-day Job would say “It is well” a mere two weeks after such unspeakable loss? How did he not curse God or descend into pity? Anchored in the kind of hope that only Christ can give, Horatio Spafford was a living testament to Philippians 4:7: “And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, shall keep your hearts and your minds through Christ Jesus.”

Here we have a powerful and timeless example of unshakeable faith. This hymn is both a song of comfort and a shout of triumph. It reminds us that no matter what we have endured or are enduring, we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. “Death has been swallowed up in victory” (1 Cor. 15). Hallelujah!

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blessed assurance control:
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And has shed His own blood for my soul.
It is well with my soul!

Sheet music
Recording 1
Recording 2

print