WHAT God th’Almighty Lord will speak, Will we draw near to hear; For to His people He’ll speak peace, In kindness will appear.
Mercy and truth that long were missed, In Christ have truly met; Sweet peace and righteousness have kissed, And hand in hand are set.
Truth from the earth through Him shall flower, Shall bud and blossom here, And righteousness from Heaven’s bower Look down to draw us near.
The Lord will come and not be slow, His footsteps cannot stray, Before Him righteousness shall go, The herald of His way.
John Milton, 1608-74‡