There Is a Balm in Gilead

“Since my people are crushed, I am crushed; I mourn, and horror grips me. Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then is there no healing for the wound of my people?” (Jer. 8:21-22 NIV)

“There is a Balm in Gilead” is based on the writings of Jeremiah, the Old Testament prophet. In Chapter 8, after voicing again his grief (verse 21), Jeremiah inquires, "Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there?" (verse 22). In the Old Testament days, Gilead was the name of the mountainous region east of the Jordan River, mentioned 80 times in the Old Testament. Gilead was famous for having skillful physicians and for an ointment with special qualities made from the gum of a tree peculiar to that area. The balm, a fragrant, transparent, pale yellow ointment, was known far beyond the boundaries of Gilead. Many believed in its mysterious, miraculous powers to heal the human body. Jeremiah's question is answered in the spiritual with the assurance that the work of the Holy Spirit makes the wounded whole, and heals the sinsick soul. (from the "History of Hymns" by William J. Reynolds)

There Is a Balm in Gilead
(African American Spiritual)

There is a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole.
There is a balm in Gilead to heal the sin-sick soul.
Sometimes I feel discouraged, and think my work’s in vain;
But then the Holy Spirit revives my soul again.

There is a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole.
There is a balm in Gilead to heal the sin sick soul.
If you cannot preach like Peter, if you cannot preach like Paul,
go home and tell your neighbor, “He died to save us all.”

There is a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole.
There is a balm in Gilead to heal the sin-sick soul,
to heal the sin-sick soul.