1.
O Thou, the first, the greatest friend
Of all the human race!
Whose strong right hand has ever been
Their stay and dwelling place!
2.
Before the mountains heav'd their heads
Beneath Thy forming hand,
Before this ponderous globe itself
Arose at Thy command;
3.
That Power, which rais'd and still upholds
This universal frame,
From countless, unbeginning time
Was ever still the same.
4.
Those mighty periods of years,
Which seems to us so vast,
Appear no more before Thy sight
Than yesterday that's past.
5.
Thou giv'st the word: Thy creature, man,
Is to existence brought;
Again Thou say'st: ' Ye sons of men,
Return ye into nought!'
6.
Thou layest them, with all their cares,
In everlasting sleep;
As with a flood Thou tak'st them off
With overwhelming sweep.
7.
They flourish like the morning flower
In beauty's pride array'd,
But long ere night, cut down, it lies
All wither'd and decay'd.

O You, 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 heaved their heads
Beneath Your forming hand,
Before this ponderous globe itself
Arose at Your command;

That Power, which raised and still upholds
This universal frame,
From countless, unbeginning time
Was ever still the same.

Those mighty periods of years,
Which seems to us so vast,
Appear no more before Your sight
Than yesterday that is past.

You give the word: Your creature, man,
Is to existence brought;
Again You say: ' You sons of men,
Return you into nothing!'

You lay them, with all their cares,
In everlasting sleep;
As with a flood You take them off
With overwhelming sweep.

They flourish like the morning flower
In beauty's pride arrayed,
But long ere night, cut down, it lies
All withered and decayed.