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241

Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee

Lyrics by
Bernard of Clairvaux (1150)
Music by
John Bacchus Dykes (1866)
Tune
ST. AGNES · 8.8.8.8
Scripture
Philippians 4:8
Verse 1
Jesus, the very thought of Thee,
With sweetness fills my breast;
But sweeter far Thy face to see,
And in Thy presence rest.
Verse 2
No voice can sing, no heart can frame,
Nor can the memory find
A sweeter sound than Jesus' name,
The Savior of mankind.
Verse 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!
Verse 4
But what to those who find? Ah! this
Nor tongue nor pen can show:
The love of Jesus; what it is,
None but His loved ones know.
Verse 5
Jesus, our only joy be Thou,
As Thou our prize wilt be;
In Thee be all our glory now,
And through eternity.

Translated from Latin by Edward Caswall in the 19th century, this medieval hymn expresses devotion to Christ.