Then Understood I Their End

"Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end." — Psalm 73:17 (KJV)

Words by Zeres Vitto

© 2026 Zeres Vitto. All rights reserved.

Verse 1

I saw the proud in wealth and ease,

Their laughter filled the land;

My weary heart was sore perplexed,

I could not understand.

The righteous bore the cross with tears,

While sinners seemed to win;

My feet had almost turned away,

My faith grew faint within.

Chorus

Then understood I their end,

When by faith I sought God's holy place;

There the books before the throne

Declared His truth and grace.

The Judge is just, His court is set,

His mercy still extends;

I saw beyond this fleeting world—

Then understood I their end.

Verse 2

The altar spoke of Calvary,

The blood that cleanses sin;

Our great High Priest now pleads above

For all who come to Him.

The veil was lifted from my eyes,

God's purpose now made plain;

The sanctuary showed the end

Of every earthly reign.

Chorus

Then understood I their end,

When by faith I sought God's holy place;

There the books before the throne

Declared His truth and grace.

The Judge is just, His court is set,

His mercy still extends;

I saw beyond this fleeting world—

Then understood I their end.

Verse 3

The court above is now in session,

The books are opened wide;

Each life is weighed in perfect truth,

No soul can ever hide.

The Lamb still ministers in love

Before probation's close;

Today His voice still calls to all—

Come now while mercy flows.

Bridge

Awake, O church, the hour has come,

The warning must be given;

"Fear God and give Him glory now,"

The final call from heaven.

Search the Scriptures, know His Word,

Where Christ our High Priest ministers;

Look by faith where Christ is pleading,

So you can understand their end.

Chorus

Then understood I their end,

When by faith I sought God's holy place;

There the books before the throne

Declared His truth and grace.

The Judge is just, His court is set,

His mercy still extends;

I saw beyond this fleeting world—

Then understood I their end.

Verse 4

As Sodom fell by fire from heaven,

Its ashes still proclaim;

An example to the ungodly

Who choose the path of sin.

Sin shall never rise again

When judgment meets its end;

The sanctuary made it plain,

For us to understand their end.

Verse 5

When thousand years have passed away,

The lost awake again;

They compass round the Holy City,

As Satan leads their men.

Fire descends from God above,

Sin meets its final end;

A new-made earth reveals God's love;

Sin's story meets its final end.

Final Chorus

To understand the wicked's end,

Christ has shown salvation's plan;

From the cross unto the judgment,

All fulfilled by Heaven's hand.

Come by faith into His temple,

While His mercy still extends;

Trust the Lamb who pleads before you—

Then you'll understand their end.

Enter by faith God's sanctuary;

Fear your Maker, give Him praise;

For the hour of His judgment

Now is sounding through these days.

Stand with Christ within His temple,

Faithful to the very end;

Follow Christ within God's sanctuary—

Then understand their end!