There Is A Balm In Gilead

 

"Is there no balm in Gilead?"
(Jeremiah 8:22)

*Gilead is the ancient name of a mountainous region east
of the Jordan River and is today part of the nation of Jordan.
Photograph courtesy/Wikipedia

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 can't preach like Peter,

If you can't pray like Paul,

Just tell the love of Jesus,

And say He died for all.

There is a Balm in Gilead,

to make the wounded whole;

There is a Balm in Gilead,

to heal the sin sick soul.

This is one of the most beautiful and deeply moving
performances of this beloved American folk spiritual.

"There Is A Balm In Gilead"
The Adventist Vocal Ensemble
Uploaded by Ron Ellis

"There Is A Balm In Gilead"
19th Century
 African American Spiritual

*Gilead first appeared in the biblical account of the covenant made between Jacob and Laban in Genesis.

  In the Aramaic language, Gilead is referred to by Laban as Jegar-sahdutha "testimony of stones".

His son-in-law Jacob called it "Galeed" which in Hebrew means, "witness-heap". 

 Therefore it was named. Galeed. (Gilead).
 

 Laban said: "This heap (of stones) is a witness today between you and me."

  And the pillar was called, "Mizpah" meaning watchpost, for he (Laban) said to Jacob:

 "May the Lord watch between you and me when we are absent and hidden from each other.
If you should afflict my daughters (Leah and Rachel) or if you should take other wives
besides my daughters, although no man is with us to witness, remember, 
God is witness between you and me."
( Genesis 31:44-51)