"Due to their many sins, they were exiled. Rabbi Alexandri said, 'Why does Jerusalem matter to her [the Roman Empire]? Only because she rebelled against you [God].'."
"And all those who take refuge in you shall rejoice. R' Zevadi ben Levi, R' Yossi bar Pinchas, and R' Yehoshua ben Levi recited these three verses at the time of their departure from the world. One of them said, 'And all those who take refuge in you shall rejoice.' And another said (Psalms 32:6), 'Therefore, let every pious person pray to you.' And the other said (Psalms 84:11), 'For a day in your courts is better than a thousand [elsewhere].' And there is one who said (Psalms 31:20), 'How great is the good that you have reserved for those who fear you!'"