In the beginning, God said "Be!"
And all things were,--heaven, earth, and sea:
God, in the end, once more will say,
"Perish!" and all shall pass away.

But Thou, O Lord! for ever art:
The orb of Thine eternity
Is one great whole, without a part;
Past, present, future, meet in Thee.

Convinced of sin, my soul would bend
Before Thee in the lowest dust;
Yet to Thy Throne by prayer ascend,
With trembling awe and childlike trust.

O look in loving-kindness down
On a frail worm with Thee at strife;
Eternal death were in Thy frown,
Thy smile will be eternal life!