Luther was well acquainted with the medieval antiphon De morte. People would sing it as an intercession, a lament on behalf of the dead, but also in the midst of battle. Luther composed "In the midst of life, we are surrounded by death" based on the antiphon. The main emphasis in the new hymn is no longer fear in the face of imminent death, but repentance from the sins that caused the wrath of God. It basically proclaims the righteousness of God, the redemption of sin through the sacrifice of Christ, the consolation that comes to the faith that trusts in him. The actual event that led Luther to rewrite the hymn, and add two strophes to it, took place on July 5, 1524. On that day the humanist William Nelsen drowned in the Elba River, when the boat he was rowing together with Prior Brisgen collided with a tree trunk. Several letters witness the impact the humanist's death had on Luther. Not only that, the letters also demonstrate Luther's growing concern with the Enthusiasts. Both the death of his friend and the Enthusiasts explain the hymn's culminating cry: "O Savior, sanctified and benign, eternal Lord, make us not lose our faith in your love!"

1 - Dia e noite, sem cessar, nos rodeia a morte.
Quem iremos nós buscar, p'ra que nos conforte?
Só tu, Senhor, nos salvas.
Rogamos-te de coração: Livra-nos da perdição.
Santo Deus e Senhor, onipotente Deus,
ó Salvador santo e benigno, eterno Senhor,
dá que em nossa morte não nos vençam medo e dor.
Kyrie eleison.

2 - Dia e noite, sem cessar, nos rodeia o inferno.
Quem nos poderá livrar do tormento eterno?
Só, tu, Senhor, nos salvas. Em teu amor perdoaste a nós
transgressão e culpa atroz. Santo Deus e Senhor,
onipotente Deus,ó Salvador santo e benigno,
eterno Senhor, dá que não triunfem ódio e infernal temor!
Kyrie eleison.

3 - Dia e noite, sem cessar, nos rodeia o medo.
Em quem nos vamos refugiar? Quem nos dará abrigo?
Só tu, Jesus amado! Na cruz verteste o sangue teu,
nossa culpa em ti morreu.

Santo Deus e Senhor, onipotente Deus, ó Salvador santo e benigno,
eterno Senhor, dá que não percamos nossa fé em teu amor!
Kyrie eleison.