The Jews Weeping in Jerusalem

WHY, trembling and sad, dost thou stand there and mourn,

Son of Israel, the days that can never return?

And why do those tear-drops of misery fall

On the mouldering ruin, the perishing wall?

Was yon city, in robes of the heathen now clad,

Once the flourishing Zion, where Judah was glad?

And those walls, that disjointed and scattered now lie,

Were they once vowed to Heaven and hallowed on high?

Yet why dost thou mourn? Oh, to gladness awaken!

Though Jehovah this city of God has forsaken,

He preserves for His people a city more fair,

Which a ruthless invader no longer shall share.

No longer the tear for your city shall flow;

No longer thy bosom the sad sigh bestow;

But night shall be followed by glorious day,

And sorrow and sighing shall vanish away.