All Men Living Are But Mortal
All men living are but mortal
All Men Living Are But Mortal is a hymn text by Caspar Huberinus (1540) in L.M. (8.8.8.8) meter. Translated by composite English adaptation. Found in CW21 840, ELH 472, lw 294, tlh 601.
The hymn teaches a distinctly Lutheran perspective on death as universal human reality, yet views it through the lens of resurrection and eternal life through Christ. It exemplifies how Lutheran tradition transforms the medieval memento mori theme into evangelical comfort rooted in Christ's victory over death.
History & Background
Written by Caspar Huberinus in the 1540s as a German meditative hymn on human mortality and resurrection. Translated and adapted into English in the 19th century and included in Lutheran hymnals, particularly The Lutheran Hymnal.
Hymnal Appearances
- Christian Worship: Hymnal — 840
- Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary — 472
- Lutheran Worship — 294
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 601
Translation
Bulletin Note
Caspar Huberinus (1500–1527), German Lutheran theologian, composed this 1540 hymn as a meditation on universal mortality redeemed by Christ's resurrection—a distinctly Lutheran echo of medieval ascetical tradition remade by grace.
Preaching Connection
This hymn transforms medieval memento mori into evangelical proclamation: the Law humbles us in our shared mortality, while the Gospel raises us through Christ's death-defeating power and promises eternal life to all who believe.
Overview
Johann Georg Albinus' funeral hymn, which moves from mortality to a vision of heaven. All flesh is grass, and only through death do we pass to eternal life (st. 1). So I yield my life willingly; Jesus' death is my source of joy (st. 2). He came down to win my salvation, and I will see the Holy Trinity (st. 3). Then the vision opens: countless saints and seraphim singing 'Holy, holy, holy' (st. 4); patriarchs, prophets and apostles on their twelve thrones (st. 5); the glorious new Jerusalem and a day that never ends (st. 6); spotless robes and a golden crown (st. 7).
Central theme: From the mortality of all flesh through Christ's redeeming death to the vision of the Triune God in the heavenly Jerusalem
Structure
Seven eight-line stanzas (8.7.8.7.7.7.7.7). Mortality (1); willing surrender (2); redemption and the vision of God (3); saints and seraphim (4); patriarchs, prophets, apostles (5); Jerusalem (6); robed and crowned (7).
Law & Gospel Shape
Law: 'all flesh must fade as grass'; 'This frail body here must perish'; 'sorrows' (1-2). Gospel: 'ransomed of the Lord'; 'my dear Redeemer's merit'; 'Death and hell for me are ended'; 'spotless robes' (1-3, 7).
Confessional Connections
Isa 40:6 (TLH's text): 'All flesh is grass.' St. 2 roots peace in 'my dear Redeemer's merit' (AC IV; Ap IV). St. 3: 'Death and hell for me are ended' (Christ's victory; FC IX on the descent into hell as triumph) and the beatific vision, 'Where I shall forever see / God, the Holy Trinity' (1 Cor 13:12; AC I). St. 4-5: the communion of saints in glory, with patriarchs, prophets and apostles enthroned (Matt 19:28). The saints are honored, not invoked (AC XXI). St. 7: the 'spotless robes' are Christ's righteousness given to faith (Rev 7:14; FC III), and the crown is a gift of grace (2 Tim 4:8).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Funerals; All Saints; Last Sundays of the Church Year; Trinity 16.
Historical Notes
Albinus (1624-1679), pastor at Naumburg, wrote it in 1652 for the funeral of a Leipzig professor's son (verify). Winkworth translated it in The Chorale Book for England (1863).
About the Tune
ALLE MENSCHEN MÜSSEN STERBEN (Praxis Pietatis Melica, Berlin, 1678; often attributed to Jakob Hintze).
Scripture References
Isa 40:6-8 1 Pet 1:24 Heb 9:27 1 Cor 15:50-53 Isa 35:10 Phil 1:23 Rom 5:1 John 3:13 Hos 13:14 1 Cor 13:12 Matt 5:8 Rev 7:9-12 Isa 6:3 Rev 4:8 Matt 8:11 Matt 19:28 Heb 12:22-23 Rev 21:2 Rev 21:23-25 Rev 7:13-14 2 Tim 4:8 Rev 2:10
Stanza by Stanza
Everyone alive is mortal; yes, all flesh must wither like grass. Only through death's dark gate do we pass into eternal life. This frail body must die here before it can enjoy the heavenly joys and receive the free reward given to the ransomed of the Lord.
'All flesh is grass… The grass withers… but the word of our God will stand forever' (Isa 40:6-8). 'It is appointed for man to die once' (Heb 9:27). 'Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God' (1 Cor 15:50). 'The ransomed of the LORD shall return' (Isa 35:10).
- Scripture
- Isa 40:6-8, Heb 9:27, 1 Cor 15:50-53, Isa 35:10
- Imagery & language
- Mortal; grass; gloomy portal; frail body; free reward; ransomed.
- Law / Gospel
- Law: mortality. Gospel: the ransomed's reward.
- Connection to previous
- All flesh is grass.
So when my God chooses, I will willingly give up my life and not grieve to lose it, for it was full of sorrows. My troubled spirit has found peace in my dear Redeemer's merit, and in death my comfort is this: Jesus' death is the source of my joy.
'My desire is to depart and be with Christ' (Phil 1:23). 'We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ' (Rom 5:1).
- Scripture
- Phil 1:23, Rom 5:1, Job 1:21
- Imagery & language
- Willing yield; sorrows; Redeemer's merit; peace; Jesus' death my bliss.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel: peace through Christ's merit.
- Connection to previous
- Redeemer's merit.
Jesus came down for my sake to win my salvation: death and hell are finished for me, and peace and hope are now my gain. Yes, I leave earth's sadness with joy for the home of heavenly gladness, where I will see God, the Holy Trinity, forever.
'He who descended from heaven, the Son of Man' (John 3:13). 'O Death, where are your plagues? O Sheol, where is your sting?' (Hos 13:14). 'Then face to face' (1 Cor 13:12). 'They shall see God' (Matt 5:8).
- Scripture
- John 3:13, Hos 13:14, 1 Cor 13:12, Matt 5:8
- Imagery & language
- Descended for me; death and hell ended; heavenly gladness; see the Trinity.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel: salvation won; beatific vision.
- Connection to previous
- See the Trinity.
There is joy beyond words where so many saints have gone; thousands upon thousands live there, worshiping before the throne. There the seraphim shine, always joining in the chorus: 'Holy, holy, holy Lord! Triune God, adored forever!'
'A great multitude that no one could number… standing before the throne' (Rev 7:9). 'Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts' (Isa 6:3). 'Day and night they never cease to say, Holy, holy, holy' (Rev 4:8).
- Scripture
- Rev 7:9-12, Isa 6:3, Rev 4:8
- Imagery & language
- Joy untold; saints; thousands; throne; seraphim; Sanctus.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel: heaven's worship.
- Connection to previous
- Seraphim.
The patriarchs of sacred history and the prophets are there; the apostles too are enthroned in glory on twelve seats. All the saints who have gone up, age after age through all of time, sing hallelujahs to their King together in perfect harmony.
'Many will come… and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob' (Matt 8:11). 'You who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones' (Matt 19:28). 'Hallelujah!' (Rev 19:1-6).
- Scripture
- Matt 8:11, Matt 19:28, Rev 19:1-6, Heb 11:39-40
- Imagery & language
- Patriarchs; prophets; apostles enthroned; saints of all ages; hallelujahs.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel: the communion of saints in glory.
- Connection to previous
- Patriarchs and apostles.
Jerusalem, how gloriously you shine, beautiful city! Listen, I hear the sounds of victory ringing sweetly there forever. Oh, the surprising joy there! Look, the morning sun is rising, and I see the dawning day that will never end for me.
'The holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven' (Rev 21:2). 'The city has no need of sun… for the glory of God gives it light… there will be no night there' (Rev 21:23-25).
- Scripture
- Heb 12:22-23, Rev 21:2, Rev 21:23-25
- Imagery & language
- Jerusalem glorious; victorious tones; bliss; sun of morn; endless day.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel: the endless day.
- Connection to previous
- Jerusalem.
Yes, I now see what I was told here and see that wonderful glory shine; I feel the spotless robes wrap around me and know that a golden crown is mine. So I stand before the glorious throne as a victorious soul, gazing forever on the joy that will never pass away.
'These are the ones… they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb' (Rev 7:14). 'The crown of righteousness, which the Lord… will award to me' (2 Tim 4:8). 'Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life' (Rev 2:10).
- Scripture
- Rev 7:13-14, 2 Tim 4:8, Rev 2:10, 1 Cor 2:9
- Imagery & language
- Told and seen; spotless robes; golden crown; before the throne; joy for aye.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel: righteousness given and glory.
- Connection to previous
- Robed and crowned.
Themes
mortality and human condition memento mori comfort in Christ resurrection hope judgment and eternity