Jesus’ blood has paid the law’s full demand, so the speaker stands before God redeemed from guilt and wrath. He marvels that only God himself could conceive and carry out such a plan to reconcile offending humanity — making justice lay down her anger. The curse is completely spent; no arrows of wrath remain aimed at the guilty soul. Peace, purchased so dearly, is something no rebel could have hoped for: it comes from the injured Sovereign, nailed to a wooden cross. Now the speaker, feeling weak and small, asks God to prepare him for war against sin, because the world and hell hate the soul that hates its sins. He knows they’ll conspire and harass him, but they can never quench God’s steadfast love or take away the Lord who is his peace. The overall mood is one of quiet awe, tender gratitude, and a fierce, settled confidence that rests entirely on what Christ has done.
Jehovah-Shalom. The Lord Send Peace — Summary
(Judges, vi.25)
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 deserved 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 hoped to see? Peace by his injured Sovereign wrought, His Sovereign fasten'd to a tree.
Now, Lord, Thy feeble worm prepare! For strife with earth and hell begins; Conform 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.