William Cowper: “Jehovah-Shalem, The Lord Send Peace” from Olney Hymns (1779)

Hymn 5

Jesus, whose blood so freely stream’d

To satisfy the law’s demand;

By thee from guilt and wrath redeem’d,

Before the Father’s face I stand.

To reconcile offending man,

Make Justice drop her angry rod;

What creature could have form’d the plan,

Or who fulfil it but a God?

No drop remains of all the curse,

For wretches who deserv’d the whole;

No arrows dipt in wrath to pierce

The guilty, but returning soul.

Peace by such means so dearly bought,

What rebel could have hop’d to see?

Peace, by his injur’d sovereign wrought,

His Sov’reign fastned to the tree.

Now, Lord, thy feeble worm prepare!

For strife with earth and hell begins;

Confirm and gird me for the war,

They hate the soul that hates his sins.

Let them in horrid league agree!

They may assault, they may distress;

But cannot quench thy love to me,

Nor rob me of the Lord my peace.