One of our favorites is “There is a Balm in Gilead,” a well-known African American spiritual written by John Wesley Work II. revives my soul again. There are several references to the phrase 'balm in Gilead' in the bible. In the New Testament, God answers the suffering of His people by sending His own son to take our place. Genesis 37:25 describes a caravan carrying balm on their way to Egypt, As they sat down to eat their meal, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Stanza 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.” (Another allusion can also be found in Jeremiah chapter 46, v. 2 and 11: “This is the message (of the Lord) against the army of Pharaoh Neco … Go up to Gilead and get balm, O Virgin Daughter of Egypt, but you multiply remedies in vain; here is no healing for you” - see also Jeremiah chapter 22, v. If you do this, try having your pianist play only block chords on the verses, giving the soloist some room to improvise, and then come in more fully on the refrain. A version of the refrain can be found in Washington Glass's 1854 hymn "The Sinner's Cure". Balm in Gilead is an 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. Is there no physician there?” Gilead was a mountainous part of the territory of Manasseh, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. This arrangement of There is a Balm in Gilead is a sweet aroma to the soul that is longing for hope. The obvious answer to both questions is a resounding, YES! There was a rare medicine that was produced here that is called "The Balm Of Gilead". A version of the refrain can be found in Washington Glass's 1854 hymn "The Sinner's Cure," (see link below) where it is in 7s.6s.7s.6s rather than the Common Meter of today's refrain. There is a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole. One of the best known and loved is “There is a Balm in Gilead.” It is an answer to the prophet Jeremiah’s question, “Is there no balm in Gilead?” (Jer. If this score will be projected or included in a bulletin, usage must be reported to a licensing agent (e.g. 8:22a) The song, first sung by those enslaved, beaten and killed, treated as property and dehumanized, answers in the affirmative, “There is a … This was an ointment made from the gum of a tree. There have been various versions of this spiritual over the years and the first appearance of this spiritual in its present form is uncertain. 'There is a balm in Gilead', sung unaccompanied by The Adventist Vocal Ensemble. rhtinh, from rew, to flow, or run; Lat. There is balm in Gilead, and there is a physician. Refrain: “There is a balm in Gilead To make the wounded whole; There is a balm in Gilead To heal the sin-sick soul.”. There was healing available to those to whom the two questions were asked. Gilead, on the shore of the River Jordan, was known in biblical times for its balm - an ointment that heals and soothes. The “balm in Gilead” is a reference from the Old Testament, but the lyrics of this spiritual refer to the New Testament concept of salvation through Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament, Gilead was the name of the mountainous region east of the Jordan River. Buy used: $17.40. A separate copy of this score must be purchased for each choir member. He reminds them that He is ultimately in control, and only He can relieve their suffering. There is A Balm in Gilead Song History There is a Balm in Gilead is one of the most famous Black American negro spirituals. 1) #31, 찬송과 예배 = Chansong gwa yebae = Come, Let Us Worship: the Korean-English Presbyterian hymnal and service book #98, Santo, Santo, Santo: cantos para el pueblo de Dios = Holy, Holy, Holy: song for the people of God #340, All tunes published with 'There Is a Balm in Gilead', Simple Gifts: Piano Meditations on American Hymn Tunes and Spirituals, Wondrous Grace (Hymns, Spirituals and Classics for Lent and Holy Week), Oboe Solos for Worship (Arranged with Keyboard Accompaniment), THERE IS A BALM IN GILEAD (Hymnal for Worship & Celebration 423), THERE IS A BALM IN GILEAD (Gray Psalter Hymnal 494), THERE IS A BALM IN BILEAD (United Methodist 375), Glory to God: the Presbyterian Hymnal #792. resina; Engl. The date of composition is unclear, though the song dates at least to the 19th century. By referencing the balm of Gilead as a way to heal the nation, Jeremiah is foretelling the coming of a person who is like a balm of Gilead and can truly heal the wounds of the people. The hope for a healing “balm in Gilead” provided inspiration for the African American spiritual tradition and Civil Rights Movement. [1]. There is a balm in Gilead to heal the sin-sick soul. https://hymnary.org/text/sometimes_i_feel_discouraged_spiritual A balm is an ointment that reduces pain or heals sores. (22) Is there no balm in Gilead . 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 There is a balm in Gilead To make the wounded whole There is a balm in Gilead To heal, to heal, to … 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 Don't ever feel discouraged For Jesus is your friend And if you lack of knowledge He'll ne'er refuse to lend If you cannot preach like Peter Sometimes I feel discouraged This is a hymn that doesn’t need much accompaniment and can be very powerful when sung a cappella. The balm trade then became as Israeli one. The first appearance of the spiritual in something close to its current form is uncertain. The 1973 edition of the 1925 7-shape Primitive Baptist songbook Harp of Ages has an unattributed song "Balm in Gilead" with a similar chorus, but verses drawn from a Charles Wesley hymn, "Father I Stretch My Hands to Thee. Their camels were loaded with spices, balm and myrrh, and they were on their way to take … 6.) Refrain. . FREE Shipping Get free shipping Free 5-8 day shipping within the U.S. when you order $25.00 of eligible items sold or fulfilled by Amazon. Many believed that this balm had miraculous powers to heal the body. ?--The resinous gums of Gilead, identified by some naturalists with those of the terebinth, by others with mastich, the gum of the Pistaccia lentiscus, were prominent in the pharmacop?ia of Israel, and were exported to Egypt for the embalmment of the dead (Genesis 37:25; Genesis 43:11; Jeremiah 46:11; Jeremiah 51:8). Chanticleer and Yvette Flunder demonstrate beautiful vocal harmonies and a soft gospel sound that could be imitated by a choir or small vocal ensemble. There is a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole, there is a balm in Gilead to heal the sin sick soul. There is one verse found in some hymnals and not others: “Don’t ever feel discouraged, for Jesus is your friend, and if you lack for knowledge He’ll not refuse to lend.” This verse is most applicable when the song functions as a call to witness for Christ no matter how unqualified we may feel. Jesus becomes our “balm in Gilead.” It is Him we are called to turn to in our times of trial for healing and comfort. If you pull back on the refrain with just the soloist singing, it becomes a comforting message to the weary masses singing the verses. 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 preach like Peter but then the Holy Spirit Refrain, 2 If you cannot preach like Peter, “There is a balm in Gilead, To make the wounded whole; There is a balm in Gilead, To heal the sin-sick soul. There Is a Balm in Gilead. An early version of the chorus: "The Sinner's Cure" by Washington Glass in, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=There_Is_a_Balm_in_Gilead&oldid=1012375868, Wikipedia introduction cleanup from January 2021, Articles covered by WikiProject Wikify from January 2021, All articles covered by WikiProject Wikify, Wikipedia articles with MusicBrainz work identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 16 March 2021, at 01:34. It was composed from the depths of the soul to comfort those who are hurting, needing healing, and just want to experience a sweet and pure beauty. Jesus is a Balm in Gilead In order to make this distinction clear, you could have a soloist sing the verses and the congregation come in on the refrain. In the book of Jeremiah, God tells the people of Israel that though many believe in the mysterious healing power of this balm, they can’t trust in those powers for spiritual healing or as a relief of their oppression. In regards to the balm of Gilead, this balm is related to the balsam poplar (Commiphora opobalsamum) and is considered a myrrh-like resin/chemical compound found in the Arabian Peninsula, specifically in ancient Palestine east of the Jordan River; it was used for medicine. Jesus is our balm, our healer, and yet He could only bring us healing by being wounded Himself. However, there is hope because we have to keep in mind that Jeremiah is also a prophet, so his words carry much deeper meaning. We encounter three instances of the balm of Gilead mentioned in the Bible. tseri; Gr. There is a balm in Gilead to heal the sinsick soul. there is a balm in Gilead Gilead was a mountainous region east of the Jordan River. After the captivity, when Israel took the promised land, Gilead, on the west side of the Jordan, became part of their land. A version of the refrain can be found in Washington Glass's 1854 hymn "The Sinner's Cure". In reading the last portion of the book of Genesis we quickly become engaged by the story of Joseph.As Jacob’s youngest son, born in his old age (Gen.37:3b & 44:20), he was also the most beloved (Gen.37:3a). Prayerfully, we can soon end the winter of our global ailment, but until then, we will work to proclaim that there is a balm in Gilead and we will carry it to as many as we can. Gilead was eminent for balm, Genesis 43:11, taken for rosin or turpentine, which is a kind of more liquid rosin, and either flows or drops from certain trees of its own accord, or their juice flows from several holes pierced into them, as from the pine, cedar, cypress, or terebinth tree. There is a Balm in Gilead has been added to your Cart Add a gift receipt with prices hidden. Since the text was written, probably sometime in the early nineteenth century, it has remained mostly unaltered. It was also called the “balsam of Mecca.” Myrrh is … This region was known for having skillful physicians and an ointment made from the gum of a tree particular to that area. "Wandering verses," as they are often called, are quite common in the camp meeting and revival context, and were already found in by 1800 in the African-American community, as shown by Richard Allen's 1801 "A Collection of Hymns and Spiritual Songs Selected from Various Authors.". The balm was made from resin taken from a flowering plant in the Middle East, although the exact species is unknown. if you cannot pray like Paul, Ad revenue helps keep us running. There is a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole; There is a balm in Gilead to heal the sin-sick soul. In 1845, Edgar Allan Poe mentions it in one of the last stanzas of his poem The Raven: Hymnal website with lyrics to this spiritual. Are parts of this score outside of your desired range? Is there no physician there? The "balm of Gilead" was, therefore, a high-quality ointment with healing properties. Try, One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism: an African American ecumenical hymnal (2018), p.885, It looks like you are using an ad-blocker. and say, "He died for all." The Balm of Gilead is interpreted as a spiritual medicine that is able to heal Israel (and sinners in general). to make the wounded whole, Since this will most likely be a brand new song for most congregations, I would suggest doing it as the offertory piece or as a solo response and letting the congregation reflect on the words rather than try to figure out the melody as they go. why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered? There is a powerful paradox in this hymn. Merely his incredible voice, a piano and the Carnegie Hall venue were all he needed or ever will. What’s really interesting about this hymn is that you could completely switch this around for a much different feel. Is there no physician there?” (Jeremiah 8:22). Sometimes I feel discouraged, And think my work’s in vain, But then the Holy Spirit Revives my soul again.2. you can tell the love of Jesus The date of composition is unclear, though the song dates at least to the 19th century. In the “When/Why/How” section, I suggest a soloist-congregation divide on verse and chorus. "There Is A Balm in Gilead" is a traditional African American spiritual. Answer: Interestingly, for all its use in certain religious circles, the balm of Gilead is reference in only three places in the King James Version Old Testament. Yes, “There is a balm in Gilead to heal the sin-sick soul.” The day that this conviction leaves the spirit of [humanity, our] moment on earth is over, and the last fond hope of the race perishes from the earth forever, and a lonely God languishes while [. The Morriston Orpheus Choir performs an arrangement of this that demonstrates the loud cry of the verse and the soft, gentle assurance of the refrain. when the ungodly Israelites refuse to repent and return to God. Please consider white-listing Hymnary.org or, Sometimes I feel discouraged. Why then is there no healing for the wounds of my [God's] people?" (subject to change) April 19, 9 pm - "God Our Refuge, Strength, and Help (Psalm 46:1)" May 3 - "You Are My Hiding Place (Psalm 32:7)" May 17 - "Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken - Hymn Story and Scripture Allusions" (Psalm 87:3) May 31 - "Freedom in Christ" (Galatians 5:1) June 14- "The Keys to Successful Prayer" This balm became symbolic for the power to soothe and to heal. There is an allusion to the song in Edgar Allan Poe's poem The Raven (1845). Mr. Robeson sings a most beautiful rendition of this song. Heb. Where Do We Find the Balm of Gilead in Scripture? Click to review . In the Old Testament, the balm of Gilead is taken most directly from Jeremiah chapter 8 v. 22: "Is there no balm in Gilead? And they (the sons of Israel) sat down to … 27:17) The reason for all this was that one of the trees there secreted a turpentine like … Refrain: Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? . “There Is a Balm in Gilead” finds its roots in Jeremiah 8:22, where the prophet asks, “Is there no balm in Gilead? He attached to one of John Newton's Olney hymns [2] of 1779 this refrain: There is no mention of the balm of Gilead in Newton's poem, but it begins: The similarities in the refrain make it likely that it was written for Newton's verse. "[3], The second verse quoted below ("If you can't...") is also found in some versions of another well-known spiritual "(Walk That) Lonesome Valley." A hauntingly beautiful song by The Brilliance (sibling band of Gungor) that recently came out is called “Wounded Healer.” This song underscores the very same paradox found in “Balm of Gilead” and musically fits the softer mood of the hymn. It seems to be an answer to the questions expressed by the Prophet Jeremiah in Chapter 8:22 when he was among the Israelites who were in exile in Babylon for 70 years. A BALM IN GILEAD. A well-crafted setting of a timeless spiritual is always welcome in the worship setting, and this superb arrangement explores the best expressive qualities of voices and piano. If you cannot preach like Peter, If you cannot pray like Paul, You can tell the love of Jesus Lloyd Larson - Lorenz Corporation There Is a Balm in Gilead. We sing this song with that assurance: no matter our hardships or supposed shortcomings, Jesus loves us enough to take our suffering upon Himself. Lloyd Larson - Lorenz Corporation. The tribe of Gad settled there. In the refrain, Jesus is the subject, and in the verses, we as God’s people are the subject. FlexScores are available in the Media section below. Note the difference in subject matter between the verses and the refrain. 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. Stanza 1: “Sometimes I feel discouraged And think my work’s in vain, But then the Holy Spirit Revives my soul again.”. 1 Sometimes I feel discouraged and think my work's in vain, but then the Holy Spirit revives my soul again. rosin. This hymn can be used in a service of lament or as a song of comfort in times of discouragement. And think my work's in vain, African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal #425, Gather Comprehensive, Second Edition #617, The Hymnal for Worship and Celebration #423, The New National Baptist Hymnal (21st Century Edition) #489, The United Methodist Hymnal Music Supplement II #21, 찬송과 예배 = Chansong gwa yebae = Come, Let Us Worship #98, 20th Century Gospel Songs: Youthspiration Packet Hymnal #131, Folk Songs of the American Negro (No. . "There Is A Balm in Gilead" is a traditional African American spiritual. The balm of Gilead was a well-known commodity to many of the day, perhaps all. and think my work's in vain, (Ezk. CCLI, OneLicense, etc). The balm is only mentioned in Genesis 37:25, Jeremiah 8:22 and 46:11. [Refrain] 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." For example, the prophet Jermimiah asks, \"Is there no balm in Gilead?' In the words of the hymn, Jesus is presented as the balm that will heal humanity of its sins. There is an allusion to the song in Edgar Allan Poe's poem The Raven (1845). Glass attributed this hymn to himself, but like several of the hymns so attributed, it is substantially the work of another. Rare medicine that was produced here that is longing for hope soloist-congregation divide on verse and chorus refrain, is! Particular to that area God answers the suffering of His people by sending His own to. 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