Mytten wir ym leben synd
A Cry for Mercy in the Shadow of Death
The believer acknowledges the fragility of life and pleads for divine mercy to escape the sting of death.
In the middle of life, we are surrounded by death. Whom shall we seek to help us obtain grace? You alone, Lord. We repent of the sin that has stirred your anger, Lord. Holy Lord God, holy and mighty God, holy and merciful Savior, eternal God, do not let us sink beneath the anguish of bitter death. Lord, have mercy.1
Deliverance from the Jaws of Hell
The prayer intensifies, seeking deliverance from the despair of hell through the compassion of the eternal God.
In the midst of death, the jaws of hell confront us. Who will free and deliver us from such distress? You alone can do it, Lord. Your mercy is moved by our lament and great sorrow. Holy Lord God. Holy and mighty God, holy and merciful Savior, eternal God, don't let us despair before the flames of deepest hell. Lord, have mercy.2
The Comfort of Christ's Atoning Blood
The believer finds refuge in the shed blood of Christ, praying to remain steadfast in true faith despite the anguish of sin.
In the midst of hellish anguish, our sins drive us on. Where can we flee and find a place to stay? To you alone, Lord Christ. Your precious blood was shed, and it is enough to atone for sin. Holy Lord God, holy and mighty God, holy and merciful Savior, eternal God, don't let us lose the comfort of true faith. Lord, have mercy.
Read the original Latin
Mytten wir ym leben synd / mit dem todt vmbfangen. Wen suchen wir der hulffe thu / das wir gnad erlangen / das byst du herr alleyne. Vns rewet vnser missethat / die dich herr erzurnet hat. Heyliger herre Got / Heyliger starcker gott / Heyliger barmhertziger heyland / du ewyger Gott las vnns nicht versyncken / yn des pittern todes nott / Kyrieleyson.
Mitten yn dem tod ansycht / vns der hellen rachen / Wer wil vns aus sölcher not / frey vnd ledig machen / das thustu herr alleyne. Es yamert deyn barmhertzigkeyt / vnser klag vnd grosses leyd. Heyliger herre got. Heyliger starcker got / Heyliger barmhertziger heyland / du ewiger gott / laß vns nicht vertzagen / fur der tieffen hellen glutt / Kyrieleyson.
Mitten yn der hellen angst / vnser sund vns treiben Wo soln wir den flihen hyn / da wir mugen bleiben / Zu dir herr Christ alleyne / Vergossen ist dein teures blut / das gnug fur die sunden thut / Heyliger herre gott / Heyliger starcker got / Heyliger barmhertziger heyland / du ewiger got / las vns nicht entfallen / von des rechten glawbens trost. Kyrieleyson.
Notes
Erfurt Enchiridion (Early Lutheran Hymns) companion
Never lose the rhythm again
Chosen Portion delivers your morning, midday and night office to your phone — the Hours, without the bells.
Chosen Portion is a modern Book of Hours: it turns the fixed-hour structure this collection preserves into scheduled, tappable daily prayer on your phone.
- Three daily prayer moments scheduled around your real calendar, not a monastery's
- Psalms and historic prayers sequenced for you — no page-flipping or decision fatigue
- A visible streak of completed offices, so the rhythm compounds instead of collapsing