Thou who first wast sensible of and didst first bear witness to that prodigious passion which
disdains the dreadful conflict
with the rage of the elements and
with the powers of
creation in order to strive
with God; thou who first didst know that highest passion, the holy, pure and humble expression of the divine madness» which the pagans admired — forgive him who would speak in praise of thee, if he does not do it fittingly.
Whether it's a question of faith of
creation, or David struggling
with the
disdain his creator shows him, it drives the direction of the story, but does so a bit heavy handed.