The First Six Verses of the Ninetieth Psalm (Poem by Robert Burns)

The First Six Verses of the Ninetieth Psalm

By Robert Burns

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.

Poem Analysis:

Robert Burns' "The First Six Verses of the Ninetieth Psalm" is a reflection on the timeless and eternal nature of God, emphasizing His role as the creator, sustainer, and ultimate authority over the human existence. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and underlying message of the poem.

Themes:

1. Divine Power and Eternity: The poem's central theme revolves around the divine power and eternal nature of God. It emphasizes God's omnipotence as the creator and sustainer of all life and the universe. The verses convey a sense of timelessness, highlighting God's presence throughout the ages.
2. Human Frailty and Mortality: While celebrating the eternal nature of God, the poem also reflects on the fragility and brevity of human life. It underscores the transient nature of human existence compared to the everlasting nature of God.

Structure:

The poem consists of 7 quatrains (four-line stanzas), each following a rhyme scheme. This structured form lends a sense of order and symmetry to the verses, reinforcing the idea of God's constancy and unwavering presence.

Analysis:

1. Acknowledgment of God's Eternal Nature: The poem opens with a reverent address to God as "the first, the greatest friend" of humanity. It acknowledges God's unchanging nature and His role as a constant source of support and protection. The reference to God's "strong right hand" signifies His power and authority.
2. Creation and Timelessness: Burns reflects on God's creative act, describing how God formed the mountains and the earth itself. The verses emphasize that the power that created the universe has remained unchanged throughout endless time. This highlights God's eternal and unvarying nature.
3. Human Transience: While extolling God's eternity, the poem contrasts it with the fleeting nature of human life. The reference to humanity's return to "nothingness" and being laid to rest in "everlasting sleep" underscores the ephemeral quality of human existence. The comparison of human life to a morning flower that withers by night vividly portrays the brevity of life.
4. Temporal Perspective: Burns presents a striking perspective on time. What seems like vast periods of time to humans are portrayed as insignificant before God's eternal view. This serves to magnify the enduring nature of God while humbling human perceptions of time and existence.
5. Finality of God's Will: The poem concludes with a profound statement about God's ultimate authority and control over human destiny. God's mere utterance can bring humanity into existence and return it to nothingness, symbolizing His absolute power and sovereignty.

In "The First Six Verses of the Ninetieth Psalm," Robert Burns beautifully captures the timeless essence of God's existence and power while juxtaposing it with the fleeting nature of human life. Through structured verses and vivid imagery, the poem conveys a profound message about the eternal and unchanging nature of the divine in contrast to the transience of the human experience. It serves as a contemplative meditation on the relationship between the finite and the infinite.