English poem
Hymn LXXXVI. Long Metre. Man changeable and God unchangeable
by Anonymous
Great former of this various frame, Our souls adore thine awful name; We bow with rev'rence, when we praise, The ancient of eternal days.
Beyond the reach of Angels' sight, Thou dwell'st in uncreated light; It shines with undiminish'd ray, Whilst suns and stars shall pass away.
Our days a transient period run, And change with every circling Sun; Ev'n in the firmest state we boast, Thy hand can crush us to the dust.
But let all nature fall around, Let death consign us to the ground; Let the last general flame arise, Consume the earth, dissolve the skies;
Calm as the summer evening, we Shall all the wreck of nature see; Whilst grace secures us an abode, Unshaken as the throne of God.