Who are those that, fare before me

Representative Text

Who are those that, fare before me,
Round the throne of God I see,
Shining as the stars in glory,
Crown'd with light and purity?
Hallelujahs, hark! they sing,
Solemn praise to God they bring.

Who are those array'd in brightness,
Clothed in righteousness divine,
Wearing robes of dazzling whiteness,
That unstain'd shall ever shine,
And can never more decay,--
Whence came all this fair array?

They are those whose hearts were riven
Here with sorrow, grief, and care,
Who by day and night have striven
With the mighty God in prayer;
Now their warfare finds its close,
God hath ended all their woes.

They are those who, daily serving
Here as priests before their Lord,
Offer'd up with faith unswerving
Soul and body at His word;
Now within the Holy place
They behold Him face to face.

As the hunted hart hath panted
For the river fresh and clear,
So their hearts with longing fainted
For the Living Fountain here.
Now their thirst is quench'd, they dwell
With the Lord they loved so well.

I too stretch my hands with longing
Thither, Jesus, day by day,
While my foes are round me thronging,
In Thy house on earth I pray,--
Let me sink not in the war,
Drive for me my foes afar.

Thus, O Lord, in earth and heaven
With Thy servants cast my lot,
Let my sins be all forgiven,
In my need forsake me not;
Near the throne where Thou dost shine
May a place at last be mine!

Source: Chorale Book for England, The #77

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Author: Heinrich Theobald Schenk

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… Go to person page >

Translator: Catherine Winkworth

Catherine Winkworth (b. Holborn, London, England, 1827; d. Monnetier, Savoy, France, 1878) is well known for her English translations of German hymns; her translations were polished and yet remained close to the original. Educated initially by her mother, she lived with relatives in Dresden, Germany, in 1845, where she acquired her knowledge of German and interest in German hymnody. After residing near Manchester until 1862, she moved to Clifton, near Bristol. A pioneer in promoting women's rights, Winkworth put much of her energy into the encouragement of higher education for women. She translated a large number of German hymn texts from hymnals owned by a friend, Baron Bunsen. Though often altered, these translations continue to be used i… Go to person page >

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First Line:	Who are those before God's throne
Title:	Who are those that, fare before me
German Title:	Wer sind die vor Gottes Throne
Author:	Heinrich Theobald Schenk
Translator:	Catherine Winkworth
Language:	English
Copyright:	Public Domain