"There is a Balm in Gilead" (ELW 614)
Refrain:
There is a balm in Gilead
to make the wounded whole;
there is a balm in Gilead
to heal the sin-sick soul.
1. Sometimes I feel discouraged
and think my work's in vain,
but then the Holy Spirit
revives my soul again.
Refrain:
There is a balm in Gilead
to make the wounded whole;
there is a balm in Gilead
to heal the sin-sick soul.
2. If you cannot preach like Peter,
if you cannot pray like Paul,
you can 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.
2. If you cannot preach like Peter,
if you cannot pray like Paul,
you can tell the love of Jesus
and say, "He died for all."
Refrain:
There is a balm in Gilead
to make the wounded whole;
there is a balm in Gilead
to heal the sin-sick soul.
3. Don't ever be discouraged,
for Jesus is your friend;
and if you lack for knowledge
he'll ne'er refuse to lend.
There is a balm in Gilead
to make the wounded whole;
there is a balm in Gilead
to heal the sin-sick soul.
3. Don't ever be discouraged,
for Jesus is your friend;
and if you lack for knowledge
he'll ne'er refuse to lend.
Refrain:
There is a balm in Gilead
to make the wounded whole;
there is a balm in Gilead
to heal the sin-sick soul.
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The prophet Jeremiah writes: "Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then has the health of my poor people not been restored?" (8:22) In the well-known African-American spiritual this "balm of Gilead" is interpreted as spiritual medicine that is able to heal Israel. While the "balm of Gilead" has its roots in Jeremiah, the lyrics of this spiritual link this image to the New Testament message of salvation through Christ.
In the New Testament, the word for "healing" is the same word as for "saving." This means that the One who heals us through the doctors, nurses, drugs and medicines, also restores us to health and wholeness. Just as he heals our bodies, he also heals our "sin-sick" souls and saves us for eternity.
Thank you, O God, for the balm of Gilead, which brings peace to my heart, healing to my soul and wellness to my body. Amen.
David Kupka
Retired
Doctor of Ministry, 1983
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There is a balm in Gilead
to make the wounded whole;
there is a balm in Gilead
to heal the sin-sick soul.
-------
The prophet Jeremiah writes: "Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then has the health of my poor people not been restored?" (8:22) In the well-known African-American spiritual this "balm of Gilead" is interpreted as spiritual medicine that is able to heal Israel. While the "balm of Gilead" has its roots in Jeremiah, the lyrics of this spiritual link this image to the New Testament message of salvation through Christ.
In the New Testament, the word for "healing" is the same word as for "saving." This means that the One who heals us through the doctors, nurses, drugs and medicines, also restores us to health and wholeness. Just as he heals our bodies, he also heals our "sin-sick" souls and saves us for eternity.
Thank you, O God, for the balm of Gilead, which brings peace to my heart, healing to my soul and wellness to my body. Amen.
David Kupka
Retired
Doctor of Ministry, 1983
---------------------
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