"Though in Midst of Life we be."
                       by Martin Luther, 1483-1546
                                      Text From:
                     THE HYMNS OF MARTIN LUTHER
        (New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1883), p. 39



        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.

        ____________________________________________________________
        Notes:
        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
        ____________________________________________________________
        This text was converted to ascii format for Project Wittenberg
        by Cindy A. Beesley and is in the public domain.  You may
        freely distribute, copy or print this text.  Please direct any
        comments or suggestions to: Rev. Robert E. Smith of the Walther
        Library at Concordia Theological Seminary.

                E-mail: CFWLibrary@CRF.CUIS.EDU
        Surface Mail: 6600 N. Clinton St.,Ft.  Wayne, IN 46825 USA
        Phone: (219) 481-2123                      Fax: (219) 481-2126
        ______________________________________________________________