For hope, in the face of hopelessness. Discovering the causes for inefficacy.

Title: There Is A Balm in Gilead
Composer: African American Spiritual
Arranger: Mark Hayes

This African American spiritual appears in various hymnals with slight melodic and rhythmic variations. I really enjoy the lyrics of this hymn. Some have pointed out that it is interesting how the enslaved people did not speak in this spiritual of the physical abuse that they faced in their bondage, but of a spiritual illness, the “sin-sick soul.” It might be they heard this alliterative phrase in some of the hymns being sung at that time. There are some parallels in this hymn between the enslaved Africans in North America and the exiled Jews from the book of Jeremiah, who were forced to live in a "far country". John Wesley elaborates on the text of this spiritual with this point, "This question, as here proposed by the Prophet, relates only to a particular people, - the children of Israel. But I would here consider it in a general sense, with relation to all mankind. I would seriously inquire, Why has Christianity done so little good in the world? Is it not the balm, the outward means, which the great Physician has given to men, to restore their spiritual health? Why then is it not restored? You say, Because of the deep and universal corruption of human nature". Perhaps this could be considered the cause for the inefficacy of Christianity. Perhaps through prayer comes the revival of the soul.

Lyrics:
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
If you cannot pray like Paul
You can tell the love of Jesus
And say, "He died for all".