Death & Dying

In the midst of life, we are

by Martin Luther 1483–1546

Translated by George MacDonald (Rampolli, 1897) · From Luther's Song-Book (Rampolli, 1897)

Death & Dying

In the midst of life, we are
Aye in Death’s embraces.
Who is there who help us can
And in safety place us?
Lord, thou art he, thou only.
From our ill deeds we sorrowing turn
That have made thy anger burn.
Holy, holy Lord God,
Holy, mighty Lord God,
Holy Saviour with the tender heart,
Everlasting God,
Let us not be swallowed
In the misery of death:
Lord, have mercy upon us.

In the midst of death, behold
Hell’s jaws gaping at us!
Who will from such dire distress
Free and scathless set us?
Lord, that dost thou, thou only:
It fills thy tender heart with woe
We should sin and suffer so.
Holy, holy Lord God,
Holy, mighty Lord God,
Holy Saviour with the tender heart,
Everlasting God,
Let us not be gasted
By hell’s hollows all aglow:
Lord, have mercy upon us.

When amidst the pains of hell
Us our sins are baiting;
Whither shall we flee away
Where relief is waiting?
To thee, Lord Christ, thee only
Who didst outpour thy precious blood
For our sins sufficing good:
Holy, holy Lord God,
Holy, mighty Lord God,
Holy Saviour with the tender heart,
Everlasting God,
Let us not fall from thee,
From comfort of the right faith:
Lord, have mercy upon us.

MLA

Luther, Martin. “In the midst of life, we are.” Translated by George MacDonald. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/luther/40/.

Chicago

Luther, Martin. “In the midst of life, we are.” Translated by George MacDonald. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/luther/40/.

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