1  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.

 2  "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.

 3  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.

 4  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.

 5  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.