When Christ Jerusalem beheld

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Source: Church Hymn Book: consisting of newly composed hymns with the addition of hymns and psalms, from other authors, carefully adapted for the use of public worship, and many other occasions (1st ed.) #CXVI