Heinrich Theobald Schenk › Hymnals

Schenk, Heinrich Theobald, son of Simon Schenk, pastor at Heidelbach, on the Schwalm, near Alsfeld, Hesse, was born at Heidelbach, April 10, 1656. He entered the Padagogium at Giessen, in 1670, and then pursued his studies at the University (M.A. 1676). In 1676 he returned to the Padagogium, as one of the masters; and was, from 1677 to 1689, "præceptor classicus." On Dec. 27, 1689, he was ordained as Town preacher and "definitor," at the Stadtkirche in Giessen. He died at Giessen, April 11, and was buried there April 15, 1727…The registers at Giessen give the date of his funeral, but not of his death; but say, that at his death he was aged 71 years less 10 days, which would rather suggest April 21 as the date of his birth.) Only one hymn is known by him, but it is a hymn which is found in almost all recent German hymn-books; and, through translations, in many recent English collections. It is:—
Wer sind die vor Gottes Throne. Eternal Life. This is found in the Neuvennehrtes Gesangbilchlein, Frankfurt-am-Main, 1719, No. 362, p. 341… It is a beautiful hymn on the Church Triumphant (i.-xiii.), and on the aspirations of the Church Militant to attain the same victorious glory. Translated as:—
1. Who are these like stars appearing. By Miss Cox, in her Sacred Hymns from the German, 1841, p. 89, being a very good translation of st. i.—vi., ix.-xi., xiv.-xvii., xx. This has come into extensive use in the cento adopted in Alford's Psalms & Hymns, 1844; and repeated in Hymns Ancient & Modern, 1861; being the trs. of st. i., iii.-v., ix. Other centos are found in Rorison's Hymns & Anthems, 1851, &c. Other forms may also be noted:—
(1) "Lo! a multitude appearing." This, in T. Darling's Hymns for Ch. of England, 1874, is based on Miss Cox's st. i., iv., v., with two additional stanzas.
(2) "Who are these in dazzling brightness. Bearing the victorious palm."
2. Who are these in light adoring. By A. T. Russell, as No. 145 in his Psalms & Hymns, 1851 ; being a tr. of st. i., iv., xi., xv.
3. Who are those before God's throne, What the crowned host I see. This is a good tr. of st. i.-vi., ix., x., xiv., xvii., xx., by Miss Winkworth in herLyra Germanica, 1st Ser., 1855, p. 207

Other translations are:—
(1) "Who are those before God's throne, What the countless." By J. D. Burns, in the Family Treasury, 1859, pt. i., p. 307; and his Memoir & Remains, 1869, p. 267. (2) " Who are those round God's throne stand-ing." By Miss Manington, 1863, p. 90. (3) "What is this host that round the throne." By Miss Warner, 1869, p. 20. [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.]

--Excerpts from John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)