The Hymns That Shaped Our Faith

SONGS THAT STAND THE TEST OF TIME

“The Origin of Hymns: It Is Well with My Soul,” by the best-selling author, Robert J. Morgan’s highlights the stories behind 50 beloved hymns. Focusing on the tragic yet faith-filled origin of "It is Well with My Soul," which is also featured in the newly released movie, “I Can Only Imagine 2.”

I CAN ONLY IMAGINE 2

After the success of “I Can Only Imagine,” the newly released sequel, “I Can Only Imagine 2,” tells the story of MercyMe’s lead singer Bart Millard’s (played by John Michael Finley) life after tremendous success. Behind the scenes, his family is hit by a crisis, including his young son, Sam, being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes after falling into a coma.  The strains from watching his son suffer and being poked by needles daily, the constant strain from traveling and being away from home, and his strained relationship with his late father, challenge Bart’s faith and his relationships at home.

Tim Timmons (Milo Ventimiglia) joins MercyMe on a major tour, fulfilling a lifelong dream. What the band members don’t initially know is that Tim has cancer. With no more treatment options, he also finds out his wife is pregnant. Tim always has the book, “The Origin of Hymns: It Is Well with My Soul” with him, gleaning wisdom from the hymns of the past while also producing contemporary Christian music. 
Tim plays a key part in Bart’s spiritual journey.

Additional cast members include Sophie Skelton as Shannon Millard (Bart's wife), Dennis Quaid returns as

Arthur Millard; also features Arielle Kebbel, Sammy Dell, and Trace Adkins.

IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL

The beloved hymn was written in 1873 by Horatio Spafford, a Chicago businessman. After losing his fortune in the Great Chicago Fire, his 4-year-old son to scarlet fever, and four daughters in a shipwreck (the Ville du Havre), Spafford penned the lyrics while sailing near the disaster site. “When sorrows like sea billows roll... It is well with my soul.” Pastor Philip Bliss later composed the music.

O TONGUES TO SING 

"O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing" is a beloved hymn written by Charles Wesley in 1739 to mark the first anniversary of his spiritual conversion.

As one of the founders of Methodism, who penned the original 18-stanza poem while reflecting on his transformative experience on May 21, 1738, Charles found assurance of salvation after a period of illness and doubt. 

The famous opening line was inspired by Peter Böhler, a Moravian missionary and Wesley's mentor, who reportedly exclaimed, "Had I a thousand tongues, I would praise Him with them all!"—a phrase Wesley echoed from the seventh stanza of his original work.

This hymn has a special place in Robert’s heart. He explains, “Only a few days before my wife, Katrina, went to Heaven, as I was helping her into bed, she started saying something. She was reciting a stanza of a hymn by Charles Wesley. She said, “My gracious Master and my God, assist me to proclaim, to spread through all the earth abroad the glory of Thy name. A few days later, we all circled around her and sang that great hymn, ‘O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing,’ at her funeral.”

GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS 

"Great Is Thy Faithfulness" is a cherished Christian hymn that celebrates God's unchanging faithfulness, drawn from Lamentations 3:22-23.

Thomas O. Chisholm, a Methodist minister from Kentucky born in 1866, wrote the lyrics in 1923 at age 57 as a reflection of God's provision through his life's ups and downs, including poor health that limited his pastorate to one year. Despite his poor health, Chisholm authored over 1,200 poems, sending this one to his friend William M. Runyan, a musician at Moody Bible Institute and Hope Publishing Company.

The song became popularized around the world by George Beverly Shea and the choirs at the Billy Graham Crusades.

To pre-order his book, The Origin of Hymns, click the LINK. To purchase tickets for the new movie, I Can Only Imagine 2, premiering Friday, February 20, 2026, click the LINK.

CREDIT

Best-selling author of over 40 books, latest, It is Well with My Soul (Thomas Nelson, 2026);
Associate Pastor of World Outreach Church; Host of the Robert J. Morgan podcast; Leads Robert J. Morgan Ministries. He attended King College, graduated magna cum laude from Columbia International University, earned an MA in Christian Education with high honors from Wheaton Graduate School, and a Master of Divinity from Luther Rice Seminary. Columbia International University later awarded him an honorary Doctor of Divinity. He and his late wife, Katrina (married 43 years), have three daughters and 16 grandchildren.