O Thou, the first, the greatest friend <br />Of all the human race! <br />Whose strong right hand has ever been <br />Their stay and dwelling place! <br /> <br />Before the mountains heav'd their heads <br />Beneath Thy forming hand, <br />Before this ponderous globe itself <br />Arose at Thy command; <br /> <br />That Pow'r which rais'd and still upholds <br />This universal frame, <br />From countless, unbeginning time <br />Was ever still the same. <br /> <br />Those mighty periods of years <br />Which seem to us so vast, <br />Appear no more before Thy sight <br />Than yesterday that's past. <br /> <br />Thou giv'st the word: Thy creature, man, <br />Is to existence brought; <br />Again Thou say'st, 'Ye sons of men, <br />Return ye into nought!' <br /> <br />Thou layest them, with all their cares, <br />In everlasting sleep; <br />As with a flood Thou tak'st them off <br />With overwhelming sweep. <br /> <br />They flourish like the morning flow'r, <br />In beauty's pride array'd; <br />But long ere night cut down it lies <br />All wither'd and decay'd.<br /><br />Robert Burns<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-first-six-verses-of-the-ninetieth-psalm-versified/
