What's the predominant idea in the poem "A Psalm of Life"?

“A Psalm of Life” was written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow shortly after the death of his first wife and was first published in 1838.

Written in an ABAB rhyme scheme, the poem exhorts its reader to live a full life. Longfellow argues against the idea that death is the end goal of life: “Dust thou art, to dust returnest, / Was not spoken of the soul.” He says instead that life should be enjoyed for its own sake: “Act, -- act in the living Present!” and by doing so we can leave “Footprints on the sands of time”. Overall, the poem seems to suggest that life’s goal is neither enjoyment nor sorrow, but rather the very act of living life fully, of seizing the day.

Stylistically, Longfellow emphasizes his point with the frequent use of exclamation points, as in the line: “Life is real! Life is earnest!” It is written with great passion, making use of commands rather than suggestions to further reinforce his sentiment. For instance, “Trust no Future, howe’er pleasant!” rather than “We should trust no future.”