'First Six Verses Of The Ninetieth Psalm Versified, The' by Robert Burns
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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.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Exciting Literary Criticism and Interpretation of Robert Burns' "First Six Verses of the Ninetieth Psalm Versified"
Introduction
Robert Burns, the Bard of Scotland, is known for his poetic genius and his ability to capture the essence of life in his verses. Among his many works is "First Six Verses of the Ninetieth Psalm Versified," which is a reflection on the brevity of life and the inevitability of death. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, symbolism, and language of this poem to gain a deeper understanding of Burns' message.
Themes
The most prominent theme in this poem is the passage of time and the transience of life. Burns begins the poem by stating, "O Thou, the first, the greatest friend / Of all the human race!" This opening line immediately sets the tone for the poem, as it acknowledges God as the creator of life and the one who controls the destiny of all living beings. Burns goes on to describe the shortness of life, "Man's life's a dream, a short-lived breath," and the inevitability of death, "The mighty conqueror of the world / And subject of all human kind."
The poem also touches on the idea of human frailty and the need for guidance and protection from God. Burns writes, "Amidst life's varied scenes and woes / Thy hand hath still been my defence," which highlights the idea that God is the only constant in an ever-changing world. This theme of human vulnerability and the need for spiritual guidance is a common thread in many of Burns' poems, and it is evident in "First Six Verses of the Ninetieth Psalm Versified."
Symbolism
One of the most significant symbols in this poem is the metaphor of life as a "short-lived breath." This metaphor highlights the fleeting nature of life and the idea that our time on earth is limited. The use of the word "breath" also suggests that life is fragile and can be taken away at any moment, which adds a sense of urgency to the poem.
Another symbol in the poem is the image of the grass that withers and the flower that fades. This imagery is a metaphor for human life, which is temporary and subject to decay. Burns writes, "Like the short-lived, pearly dew / Or fading rainbow's lovely hue / The human race are doomed to fall / Before the dread reaper, Death's cold thrall." This image of the transient beauty of nature reflects the fleeting nature of human existence and highlights the inevitability of death.
Language
The language of this poem is simple and straightforward, which adds to the strength of its message. Burns uses plain language to convey complex ideas, which makes the poem accessible to a wide audience. The repetition of the word "Thou" throughout the poem emphasizes the speaker's reverence for God and highlights the importance of spiritual faith.
Burns also uses vivid imagery to create a sense of urgency in the poem. The image of the grass withering and the flower fading creates a sense of impermanence and reinforces the theme of human mortality. The use of the word "cold" to describe death adds a sense of finality to the poem and highlights the speaker's fear of the unknown.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "First Six Verses of the Ninetieth Psalm Versified" is a powerful reflection on the brevity of life and the inevitability of death. Burns uses simple language and vivid imagery to convey complex ideas, and the result is a poem that is both accessible and thought-provoking. The themes of human frailty, the passage of time, and the need for spiritual guidance are all explored in this poem, making it a timeless work of literature that continues to resonate with readers to this day.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The First Six Verses of the Ninetieth Psalm Versified by Robert Burns is a classic piece of poetry that has stood the test of time. Written in the 18th century, this poem is a beautiful rendition of the first six verses of Psalm 90 from the Bible. In this article, we will take a closer look at this masterpiece and analyze its meaning, structure, and literary devices used by the poet.
The poem begins with the lines, "O Thou, the first, the greatest friend/ Of all the human race!/ Whose strong right hand has ever been/ Their stay and dwelling-place!" These lines are a beautiful tribute to God, the creator of the universe and the protector of all living beings. The poet addresses God as the "first" and "greatest friend" of all humans, acknowledging His supreme power and benevolence towards mankind.
The second line, "Whose strong right hand has ever been/ Their stay and dwelling-place!" is a metaphor that compares God's protection to a shelter or a home. The poet suggests that God's "strong right hand" is a place of safety and comfort for all those who seek refuge in Him. This metaphor is a powerful reminder of God's omnipotence and His ability to protect and guide His people.
The next two lines of the poem, "Before the mountains heaved their heads/ Beneath thy forming hand," are a reference to the creation story in the Bible. The poet acknowledges God as the creator of the mountains and all other natural wonders. The phrase "beneath thy forming hand" is a metaphor that suggests God's hands were involved in the creation of the mountains. This metaphor is a beautiful way of acknowledging God's role as the creator of the universe.
The fourth line of the poem, "Thou, when the world began its race,/ Was glorious in thy might," is a reference to the beginning of time. The poet acknowledges God's presence at the beginning of the world and His role in creating it. The phrase "glorious in thy might" is a metaphor that suggests God's power and majesty at the beginning of time. This metaphor is a powerful reminder of God's omnipotence and His role as the creator of the universe.
The fifth line of the poem, "And, when its ruin shall be seen,/ The same shall still abide," is a reference to the end of time. The poet acknowledges God's presence at the end of the world and His role in bringing it to an end. The phrase "the same shall still abide" is a metaphor that suggests God's eternal nature and His ability to survive the end of the world. This metaphor is a powerful reminder of God's omnipotence and His role as the creator of the universe.
The final line of the poem, "Unchanged by time's all-devouring hand,/ And undestroyed by death," is a reference to God's eternal nature. The poet acknowledges God's ability to survive the ravages of time and death. The phrase "unchanged by time's all-devouring hand" is a metaphor that suggests God's eternal nature and His ability to survive the passage of time. This metaphor is a powerful reminder of God's omnipotence and His role as the creator of the universe.
In terms of structure, the poem is written in rhyming couplets, with each line consisting of eight syllables. The use of rhyming couplets gives the poem a musical quality and makes it easy to remember. The use of eight syllables per line gives the poem a consistent rhythm and flow, making it easy to read and understand.
The poem also makes use of several literary devices, including metaphors, alliteration, and personification. The use of metaphors helps to create vivid imagery and make abstract concepts more tangible. The use of alliteration helps to create a musical quality to the poem and make it more memorable. The use of personification helps to make abstract concepts more relatable and human.
In conclusion, The First Six Verses of the Ninetieth Psalm Versified by Robert Burns is a beautiful piece of poetry that pays tribute to God's power and benevolence towards mankind. The poem is structured in rhyming couplets and makes use of several literary devices to create vivid imagery and make abstract concepts more tangible. The poem is a powerful reminder of God's omnipotence and His role as the creator of the universe.
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