In Ancient Times Came a Balm- The Balm of Gilead

In ancient times came a balm
For healing and for calm
From out of Gilead it came
And was asked for by name

In our day of disorders
Some are helped with drugs prescribed
Yet, much can be prevented
If we tend to what's inside

For our good health there are rules
Rest and exercise are useful tools
For maintained quality of lifestyles
And for preventing growing stress piles

But, this does not seem to be enough
Our minds can make life real tough
And how stuck thoughts will manifest
Into ill health all of us can attest

My message is an appeal
To those who feel at ill
My message is a kind plea
To those who know not peace

There is a spirit in man
Which can become ill and sad
And as we are prone to sin
Obedience is the best medicine

If you suffer from worry
Or cannot control fury
All these negative thoughts
Clutter up like junk lots

Put up a "no dumping" sign
And to God's laws realign
What's inside can be healed
As our bad thoughts are stilled

And the cure's found in prayer
May we oft be found there
To find soothing and healing
And be spiritually feeling

If we've a troubling heartache
Or are burdened by a mistake
Prayer's as though a transfusion
To ease and end confusion

And those "oughts" that were in control
Seem petty as we're freed from their toll
And the beam lifts from our eyes
So we see beautiful skies

There is strength as we gain understanding
That the Lord's inside us for our standing
And as the Prince of Peace, He knows our pain
And would that we pray and take on His name

The more we've His Spirit and the Comforter
We are more eased of disease and disorder
Forgive, forget and leave it alone
And, be grateful that our Lord did atone

There is a healing balm
That has to be applied
Our Lord can heal and calm
And, through prayer it is supplied

Boyd K. Packer
The Balm of Gilead
New Era, Aug 1979 36

Jer. 8: 22
Is there no balm in Gilead;
is there no physician there?
why then is not the health
of the daughter of my people recovered?

[Verse 1] In ancient days a balm was brought For healing, quiet, peace of thought From Gilead it came by name A tender cure, a steady flame In days of trouble, some are helped By medicines prescribed with care Yet much may turn before it starts If we attend the inner heart [Pre-Chorus] Rest and movement, measured days Can ease the strain and clear the way But still the mind can make life hard And leave its mark upon the heart [Chorus] There is a healing balm within For troubled hearts and restless minds Let prayer restore what worry stole Let grace bring quiet to the soul There is a healing balm to find In turning toward the Holy One [Verse 2] My message is an open hand To those who ache and cannot stand A gentle plea for those who know No rest beneath the weight they hold There is a spirit in us all That can grow weary, grieve, and fall And knowing how our choices wound We seek the path where peace is found [Pre-Chorus] If worry grips, if anger stays If thoughts crowd in and cloud our days Set out a sign: let nothing harm And turn again toward what is right [Chorus] There is a healing balm within For troubled hearts and restless minds Let prayer restore what worry stole Let grace bring quiet to the soul There is a healing balm to find In turning toward the Holy One [Bridge] The thoughts that ruled us lose their hold As truth makes room within the soul The beam lifts from our tired eyes And opens up the spacious skies We learn the strength of understanding The Lord is near, our sure upstanding Prince of Peace, who knows our pain We call on Him, and breathe again [Verse 3] When heartache lingers, when mistakes Have left us bowed beneath their weight Prayer is a transfusion, grace That brings the scattered thoughts to place Forgive, forget, and leave it there Give thanks, and let the burden clear Our Lord has borne what we could not His mercy holds the healing spot [Final Chorus] There is a healing balm within For troubled hearts and restless minds Let prayer restore what worry stole Let grace bring quiet to the soul There is a healing balm to find Our Lord can heal, our Lord can calm Through prayer, the gift is supplied [Outro] Our Lord can heal, our Lord can calm There is a healing balm