Beloved It Is Well!
Beloved it is well!
Beloved It Is Well! is a hymn text by Horatius Bonar (1857) in 8.7.8.7 D meter. Found in tlh 519. Sung to CONSOLATION.
The hymn reflects Lutheran confidence in God's hidden wisdom and providential care, affirming that God's inscrutability is grounds for peace rather than anxiety. It demonstrates the Lutheran emphasis on faith as trust (fiducia) despite limited human understanding of divine purposes.
History & Background
Written by Scottish minister and prolific hymn writer Horatius Bonar in 1857, this hymn expresses confidence in God's mysterious purposes. It appeared in TLH (1941) as hymn 519 and has remained a staple of Lutheran hymnody for comfort and assurance.
Hymnal Appearances
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 519
Bulletin Note
Horatius Bonar (1808–1889), a Scottish Free Church minister, wrote this 1857 hymn to comfort those facing incomprehensible suffering, anchoring faith not in rational explanation but in trust in God's hidden mercy and providential care.
Preaching Connection
This hymn transforms the Law's exposure of our helplessness into the Gospel's comfort, teaching that God's mysterious will—precisely because it exceeds our comprehension—frees us from the exhausting work of trying to control or decode our circumstances.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Christ's advent and universal reign: from his anointed coming through his subduing of evil, merciful renewal of creation, establishment of peace and justice, to the eternal kingdom worshipped by all nations
Background Research
TLH 519. George Washington Doane (1799–1859), Episcopal bishop of New Jersey; Hymnary dates it 1833. The title echoes the Shunammite woman's answer when her son had died, "It is well" (2 Kgs 4:26), with Rom 11:33 ("how unsearchable are his judgments") as Hymnary's scripture: a funeral/consolation hymn. Tunes: CAMBRIDGE (Harrison); a setting by William Bradbury titled for the text. In 36 hymnals, many of them Lutheran (ELHW 1908, ELH 1895). Not related to Spafford's "It is well with my soul" (1873). From memory: Doane also wrote "Softly now the light of day" and "Fling out the banner", and was rector of Trinity Church, Boston, before becoming bishop. The first printing is still unconfirmed.
Overview
A hymn of consolation by George Washington Doane, Episcopal bishop of New Jersey, based on Rom 11:33 and the Shunammite woman's 'It is well' (2 Kgs 4:26). God's ways are always right, with perfect love over them though beyond our sight (st. 1); the hand that wounds knows how to heal (st. 2); sorrow will make the coming joy dearer (st. 3); the rough path Jesus walked leads home to God (st. 4).
Central theme: Trusting God's hidden but loving ways in sorrow, because the path of Jesus through suffering leads home
Structure
Four short-meter quatrains, each opening 'Beloved, "It is well!"' God's ways (1) — the wounding hand (2) — sorrow and joy (3) — Jesus' path (4).
Law & Gospel Shape
Law/cross: smart, sorrow, rough dark path (2-4). Gospel: 'perfect love is o'er them all'; the hand that heals; 'Leads home to heaven and God' (1-2, 4).
Confessional Connections
Rom 11:33 (TLH's text): 'How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!' The hymn rests on the hidden God whose ways are 'far above our sight' (Isa 55:9), yet whose love is revealed in Christ. St. 2: 'The hand that wounds knows how to bind' (Hos 6:1; Job 5:18) — God's alien work serving his proper work (Ap XII.51-53). St. 4: Jesus' path is ours — the theology of the cross (1 Pet 2:21).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Funerals; affliction; consolation.
Historical Notes
Doane (1799-1859), Episcopal bishop of New Jersey; published 1833 (verify). The 'It is well' motif comes from the Shunammite woman (2 Kgs 4:26).
About the Tune
CAMBRIDGE (Ralph Harrison, c. 1784).
Scripture References
Rom 11:33 2 Kgs 4:26 Deut 32:4 Isa 55:8-9 Hos 6:1 Job 5:18 Ps 147:3 Ps 30:5 John 16:20-22 Heb 12:2 1 Pet 2:21 John 14:6
Stanza by Stanza
Beloved, 'It is well!' God's ways are always right, and perfect love is over them all, though far above our sight.
'Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!' (Rom 11:33). 'All his ways are justice' (Deut 32:4). 'My ways are higher than your ways' (Isa 55:9). Refrain-opening: 'It is well' — the Shunammite's answer (2 Kgs 4:26).
- Scripture
- Rom 11:33, 2 Kgs 4:26, Deut 32:4, Isa 55:8-9
- Imagery & language
- It is well; ways right; perfect love; above sight.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — hidden love.
- Connection to previous
- It is well.
Beloved, 'It is well!' Though the pain is deep and sharp, the hand that wounds knows how to bind and heal the broken heart.
'He has torn us, that he may heal us; he has struck us down, and he will bind us up' (Hos 6:1). 'He wounds, but he binds up' (Job 5:18).
- Scripture
- Hos 6:1, Job 5:18, Ps 147:3
- Imagery & language
- Smart; wounding hand; binding; healing.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — wounding; Gospel — healing.
- Connection to previous
- Wounds and binds.
Beloved, 'It is well!' Though sorrow clouds our way, it will only make dearer the joy that brings in the day.
'Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning' (Ps 30:5). 'Your sorrow will turn into joy' (John 16:20).
- Scripture
- Ps 30:5, John 16:20-22
- Imagery & language
- Sorrow; joy more dear; day.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — joy after sorrow.
- Connection to previous
- Joy more dear.
Beloved, 'It is well!' The path Jesus walked, though rough, narrow and dark, leads home to heaven and God.
'Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps' (1 Pet 2:21). 'I am the way' (John 14:6).
- Scripture
- 1 Pet 2:21, Heb 12:2, John 14:6
- Imagery & language
- Jesus' path; rough and strait; home to God.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — the way home.
- Connection to previous
- Jesus' path.
Themes
God's sovereignty Divine providence Acceptance of God's will Trust in suffering Peace in adversity