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 thy command;

    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.