How should the Lord keep back His sword from blood

How should the Lord keep back His sword from blood?

“The soul that sinneth it shall surely die:”

But ah

can Justice make His counsels good?

Can Law bring in the glory from on high?

Grace must provide a Lamb—a Ransom find;

Redeem by One whom death no more may bind.

“One poor wise man” hath cried

O God

to Thee;

His blood is counted precious in Thy sight.

He liveth

and His name shall ever be

Thy praise

Thy glory

Thy supreme delight.

By Jesus’ blood—that new and living way—

God’s priests shall now within the holiest stay.

The blood of bulls and goats for ages failed

To purge the conscience

burdened sore with sins;

Thy precious blood

O Lamb of God

prevailed—

Through Thee

sweet Peace her endless reign begins.

Thy blood hath made redemption e’en for me;

Complete I stand

O risen Christ

in Thee.

The precious blood of Christ

it speaketh peace

To guilty sinners

groaning ’neath their load;

To captive spirits it proclaims release

And Pharaoh’s slaves become the “hosts of God.”

His flesh is meat—His blood is drink indeed;

He died

He rose

His people’s cause to plead.

Oh

precious blood! poured freely forth for me

My sins are sunk beneath thy crimson tide.

No more before th’ Avenger’s sword I flee!

Christ is the Refuge-City

where I hide.

My life’s dark page

blood-sprinkled

gleameth white;

My name shines forth in heaven in words of light.