first six verses of the ninetieth psalm versified, the

  o thou, the first, the greatest friend

  of all the human race!

  whose strong right hand has ever been

  their stay and dwelling place!

  before the mountains heav'd their heads

  beneath thy forming hand,

  before this ponderous globe itself

  arose at thymand;

  that pow'r which rais'd and still upholds

  this universal frame,

  from countless, unbeginning time

  was ever still the same.

  those mighty periods of years

  which seem to us so vast,

  appear no more before thy sight

  than yesterday that's past.

  thou giv'st the word: thy creature, man,

  is to existence brought;

  again thou say'st, “ye sons of men,

  return ye into nought!”

  thou layest them, with all their cares,

  in everlasting sleep;

  as with a flood thou tak'st them off

  with overwhelming sweep.

  they flourish like the morning flow'r,

  in beauty's pride array'd;

  but long ere night cut down it lies

  all wither'd and decay'd.