1 See, the destruction is begun,
And heaps of ruin spread the ground;
With hasty strides it marches on,
And scatters consternation round.

2 Sinners in Zion take th’alarm,
The hypocrites astonished cry,
"Who with devouring flames can dwell?
Who in eternal burnings lie?"

3 God’s gracious voice the saint revives,
How sweet the heav’nly accents sound!
"Dwell thou on high, My child," He says,
"Where rocks shall guard thee all around."

4 "There shall My hand thy wants supply,
Thy water and thy bread are sure;
There shall My visits make thee glad,
While these alarming scenes endure."

5 "Then, led in joyous triumph forth,
Thine eyes the distant land shall view,
Shall see thy king in beauty dressed,
And share His royal honors, too."

6 My soul the oracle receives,
And feels its energy to cheer;
A promised Heav’n, a present God,
Forbids my grief, forbids my fear.