When Christ Jerusalem beheld

Verse 1

When Christ Jerusalem beheld, As he approached near-- His heart her doleful state bewail'd, His eyes they flow'd with tears.

Verse 2

He look'd on her with deep distress, And strove to be here friend; But O, her heighth of wickedness, Determin'd her fatal end.

Verse 3

Did'st thou but know in this thy day, That which would work thy peace; Before thy help is done away, And will forever cease.

Verse 4

But now these things are hid from thee, And from thine eyes conceal'd-- The time is near when thou must see: God's threat'nings all fulfill'd.

Verse 5

Justice and judgements must take place, Thy sins have brought them down; Long ye abus'd the means of grace, Which ye held as your own.

Verse 6

Thy foes they shall compass thee round, And fill thy streets with fear! Thy walls laid level with the ground And thou brought to despair.

Verse 7

Such woes as never were on earth, In ev'ry part shall rage; Great famine, wars and cruel death Shall sweep thee of the stage.

Verse 8

The Jews, they shar'd their awful fate And thus were made to know; That vice destroy'd their church and state, And prov'd their overthrow.

Verse 9

Long have we heard thy warnings Lord, But we regard it not-- And just according to thy word: Their fate must be our lot.