“JESUS, the VERY THOUGHT of YOU”
1) Jesus, the very thought of Thee
With sweetness
fills my breast;
But sweeter far
Thy face to see,
And in Thy presence rest.
2) Nor voice can sing, nor heart can frame,
Nor can the
Memory find
A sweeter sound than Thy blest Name,
O Savior of mankind!
3) O Hope of every Contrite heart,
O Joy of all the meek,
To those who fall,
How kind Thou art!
How good to those Who seek!
4) Jesus, our only
Joy be Thou,
As Thou our Prize
Wilt be;
Jesus, be Thou our Glory now,
And through eternity!
Story Behind “JESUS, the VERY THOUGHT of YOU”
This hymn originates from a 12th-century Latin poem, “Jesu dulcis memoria”. It is a profound expression of personal devotion and love for Christ, often called a “jubilee hymn” or “rosy hymn” for its focus on the sweetness of Jesus’ name.
Original Author & Context:
Bernard of Clairvaux, (1090-1153) a highly influential monk and scholar, though some debate his direct authorship, it perfectly reflects his spiritual focus, which emphasized knowing and loving God personally.
The Original Poem: The original work was extremely long, sometimes cited as having 42 to 51 stanzas, often used as a devotion on the name of Jesus or for preparation for Communion.
Translation:
The popular English version was translated by Edward Caswall (1814–1878) and published in 1849.
The Hymn Tune: The familiar tune used today, “St. Agnes,” was composed by John B. Dykes and published in the 1866 edition of Grey’s Hymnal.
Meaning: The hymn focuses on the intimacy of Christ’s presence, the joy of His name, and the comfort He provides to believers, emphasizing that the thought of Jesus brings sweetness and peace to the soul.
-Debra
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