PSALM 90. v. 1–5. First Part. (C. M.) Man frail, and God eternal.
I
Our God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home.
II
Under the shadow of thy throne
Thy saints have dwelt secure;
Sufficient is thine arm alone,
And our defence is sure.
III
Before the hills in order stood,
Or earth receiv'd her frame,
From everlasting thou art God,
To endless years the same.
IV
Thy word commands our flesh to dust,
‘Return, ye sons of men:’
All nations rose from earth at first,
And turn to earth again.
V
A thousand ages in thy sight
Are like an evening gone;
Short as the watch that ends the night
Before the rising sun.
VI
The busy tribes of flesh and blood,
With all their lives and cares,
Are carry'd downwards by thy flood,
And lost in following years.
VII
Time like an ever-rolling stream
Bears all its sons away;
They fly forgotten as a dream
Dies at the opening day.
VIII
Like flowery fields the nations stand
Pleas'd with the morning light;
The flowers beneath the mower's hand
Lie withering ere 'tis night.
IX
Our God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Be thou our guard while troubles last,
And our eternal home.
