Brief Life Is Here Our Portion
Brief life is here our portion
This hymn expresses the Lutheran understanding of the Christian's dual citizenship—belonging to Christ while sojourning in a fallen world. It reflects medieval monasticism's theme of contemptus mundi while directing focus toward heavenly Jerusalem and the eschaton.
History & Background
Bernard of Cluny composed this as part of his longer Latin poem 'De Contemptu Mundi' (On Contempt for the World) in the 12th century. John Mason Neale's English translation appeared in 1858 and became widely used in Lutheran and Anglican hymnals.
Hymnal Appearances
- The Hymnal 1982 — 105
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 448
Translation
Bulletin Note
Bernard of Cluny (1140) penned this monastic meditation on Christian pilgrimage. The original Latin poem contained 3,000 lines; this hymn distills its central vision of contemptus mundi reoriented toward eschatological hope in Christ.
Preaching Connection
This hymn exposes the Law's verdict on worldly attachments while proclaiming the Gospel's promise: our brief earthly pilgrimage gains meaning and hope only when oriented toward our inheritance in Christ's heavenly kingdom.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: From the sweetness of Christ's thought, to the inadequacy of human language to express his name, to the character of Christ toward the broken and seeking, to the transcendent mystery known only to the beloved—a progression from intellectual contemplation through affective longing to mystical union.
Themes
Heaven and eternal life Pilgrimage and exile on earth Contempt of the world Eschatology Christian hope