Bodo von Hodenberg

Hodenberg, Bodo von, was born April 3, 1604. After the conclusion of his university studies he entered the service of the Dukes of Lüneburg. He was for some time tutor to the sons of Duke Georg, and subsequently (1646) chief magistrate and director of the mines at Osterrode in the Harz, for the principality of Grubenhagen. He died Sept. 20, 1650 (Koch, iii. 239; Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie, xii. 537; Bode, p. 91). The only hymn known by him is the beautiful

Vor deinen Thron tret ich hiemit. Morning. First published in the New Ordentlich Gesang-Buch, Hannover, 1646, No. 217 (beginning "Für deinen Thron"), in 15 st. of 4 1., introduced by the words, "In the morning, at midday, and in the evening one can sing." In the Lüneburg Gesang-Buch, 1669, it is ascribed to Justus Gesenius, who had probably altered it somewhat. Included as No. 1131 in the Berlin Geistliche Lieder, ed. 1863. The only translation of this form is "Before Thy Throne I now appear," by J. C. Jacobi, 1720, p. 37 (1722, p. 108; 1732, p. 171). Another form is that given by Bunsea in his Versuch, 1833, No. 49, in 10 stanzas, beginning:--

Ich danke dir mit Herz und Mund. St. i. is altered from st. xi.; st. ii.-x. are st. ii., v.-x., xiv., xv. The only translation of this form is "With heart, and mind, and every power," by H. J. Buckoll, 1842, p. 71. [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.)

--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)