A Poor Brother's Hymnal
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
  Media Vita: In the Midst of Life We Are in Death
Media Vita
In the midst of life we are in death;
from whom can we seek help?
From you alone, O Lord,
who by our sins are justly angered.
Latin
Luther's Version
Media vita in morte sumus
Quem quærimus adjutorem nisi te, Domine?
Qui pro peccatis nostris juste irasceris

[Chorus]
Sancte Deus, sancte fortis
Sancte misericors Salvator
Amaræ morti ne tradas nos

In te speraverunt patres nostri
Speraverunt et liberasti eos

[Chorus]

Ad te clamaverunt patres nostri
Clamaverunt et non sunt confusi

[Chorus]

Gloria Patri, et Filio et Spiritui Sancto

[Chorus]
1. Though in midst of life we be,
Snares of death surround us;
Where shall we for succor flee,
Lest our foes confound us?
To thee alone, our Saviour.
We mourn our grievous sin which hath
Stirr'd the fire of thy fierce wrath.
Holy and gracious God!
Holy and mighty God!
Holy and all-merciful Saviour!
Thou eternal God!
Save us, Lord, from sinking
In the deep and bitter flood.
Kyrie eleison.

2. Whilst in midst of death we be,
Hell's grim jaws o'ertake us;
Who from such distress will free.
Who secure will make us?
Thou only, Lord, canst do it!
It moves thy tender heart to see
Our great sin and misery.
Holy and gracious God!
Holy and mighty God!
Holy and all-merciful Saviour!
Thou eternal God!
Let not hell dismay us
With its deep and burning flood.
Kyrie eleison.

3. Into hell's fierce agony
Sin doth headlong drive us:
Where shall we for succor flee,
Who, O , who will hide us?
Thou only, blessed Saviour.
Thy precious blood was shed to win
Peace and pardon for our sin.
Holy and gracious God!
Holy and mighty God!
Holy and all-merciful Saviour!
Thou eternal God!
From the true faith's comfort
Fall in our last need away.
Kyrie eleison.
Text: The first stanza from "Media vita in morte sumus."
Notker, A.D. 912
Hymn XVIII from "The Hymns of Martin Luther"
Author: Martin Luther
Translated by: Richard Massie
Titled: "Mitten wir im Leben sind."
Melody: NOT from the Latin, 1525
Harmony: Erythraeus, 1608
1st Published in: "Enchiridion"
Town: Erfurt, 1524

 
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