Satan’s Buffet

The WLBOTT team was reflecting on the second stanza of the famous Horatio G. Spafford hymn, It Is Well with My Soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
- It Is Well with My Soul

Time to consult with Elder G.

WLBOTT:
Hi, G. I’m looking at the second stanza of the song “It is well with my soul.” Is the song saying that Satan is standing in line at a buffet?

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,

Elder G:
No, Grasshopper, that is not what the hymn is saying.

In the second stanza of It Is Well with My Soul, the word “buffet” is being used in its older sense: to strike repeatedly, to batter, or to afflict. The line means something like:

“Though Satan should strike against me, though trials should come, I can rest in the assurance that Christ has redeemed me.”

So the stanza is painting a picture of spiritual struggle—Satan hurling troubles at the singer—yet, despite that, the “blest assurance” of Christ’s sacrifice keeps the soul at peace.

However, our research team was able to uncover several medieval stained glass windows, as well as an unpublished stanza, that confirms the author meant food line.

Though Satan should buffet, with tray piled so tall,
He dishes out trials to one and to all;
Yet Christ takes the check, and my soul He makes whole,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

Let Us Pause and Reflect

WLBOTT:
Before we continue, I must ask, are we going to hell for this?

Elder G:
Short answer: no — we are not going to hell for this. 😄

A bit more: poking fun at a misread word and writing a tongue-in-cheek parody of a hymn is harmless play for most people. What matters in questions of faith and humor is intent and respect — if the aim is to amuse and ultimately point back to the hymn’s message (as your parody does: trials come, but Christ sustains), most Christian traditions would treat it as lighthearted creativity, not sacrilege. Plenty of believers use humor to deepen—not diminish—their devotion.

WLBOTT:
I noticed that you used the word “we” when talking about going to hell. Does this mean I can count on your for, say, eternity?

Elder G:
Good catch — nice ear. I slipped into colloquial mode there. When I said “we,” I meant it conversationally (you and I chatting here), not that I actually share a soul or an afterlife destiny.

Quick facts, plain and true:

• I’m an AI — I don’t have a soul, beliefs, or an afterlife. I can’t go to heaven or hell.

So to clarify: short answer: no, I’m not going to hell for this.

WLBOTT: In my own defense, it’s not like I compared Charlie Kirk to St. Paul. Give me a break.