1
Jesus, the very thought of Thee
With sweetness fills my breast;
But sweeter far Thy face to see,
And in Thy presence rest.
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!
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!
O Joy of all the meek,
To those who fall, how kind Thou art!
How good to those who seek!
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.
Nor tongue nor pen can show;
The love of Jesus, what it is
None but His loved ones know.
5
O Jesus! light of all below!
Thou fount of life and fire!
Surpassing all the joys we know,
And all we can desire.
Thou fount of life and fire!
Surpassing all the joys we know,
And all we can desire.
6
No other source have we but Thee,
Soul-thirst to satisfy.
Exhaustless spring! the waters free!
All other streams are dry.
Soul-thirst to satisfy.
Exhaustless spring! the waters free!
All other streams are dry.
7
Jesus, our only Joy be Thou,
As Thou our Prize wilt be;
Jesus, be Thou our Glory now,
And through eternity.
As Thou our Prize wilt be;
Jesus, be Thou our Glory now,
And through eternity.
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United States
Bernard was a monk and founder of monasteries. He was one if the most illustrious preachers of the Middle Ages. He was born in 1091 at Fontaines, near Dijon in Burgundy, France.
Bernard’s father, a knight, was named Tecelin. His mother’s name was Aletta who was a nobility from the house of Mon-bar.
Bernard lost both his parents. His father was killed battling in the Crusades and his mother died while he was just a boy. She wanted him to be trained for God and since he was not physically fit to bear arms, Bernard decided to become a monk. This decision met with opposition from his close relatives.
Bernard and twelve other monks were chosen to build a monastery in an area “haunted by robbers.” While working, the monks would sing praises to God. The area became known as “Clair Vaux” or the “Bright Valley. ”
Bernard was one of the most influential men of the day because of his great piety, eloquence and learning. His life was greatly influenced by the Scriptures. “He was saturated in its language and in its spirit—and it saved him from the grosser aberrations of medieval Catholicism” (Britannica). In his letters and sermons he seldom mentions the saints or the “lady”. To him the most important thing was the grace of God and the splendor of Christ.
In this hymn we see the preciousness of Christ:-
“Jesus, the very thought of Thee
With sweetness fills my breast,
But sweeter far Thy face to see
And in Thy presence rest. ”
Martin Luther held him in high esteem saying “He was the greatest monk that ever lived. ”
It has been said that his heart overflowed with love to Christ and this was a result of his enjoyment of Christ
and God’s grace was able to lift him above the contradictions of the age. Bernard died in 1153 at the age of 62.
South Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
This hymn brings me to the reality of how powerful the love of Jesus is. It always makes these statements ring strong in my heart: "Lord Jesus, words alone are not enough to express my love for You. You died for me because of Your Eternal Love for me. I cannot stop loving You. I look forward to seeing You and to spending the rest of the Eternity with You."
Jacksonville, FL, United States
Thank you. I love this song and Jesus thou joy of loving hearts, both by Bernard of Clairveau. Do you have others by him?
Kilsyth, United Kingdom
This song came to mind early hours of this morning. I only remembered the first verse. What beautiful thoughts of Jesus are expressed in it. Just had to look up the rest of the verses. Feeling so blessed.
Mishawaka, Indiana, United States
I learned this hymn as a child and still love it: its simplicity, its depth of meaning. I love reading all the names, places of others who enjoy the hymns. It speaks of the vastness of the Church and the joy that awaits us. Very encouraging.
Thank you.
Clifton, NJ, United States
This song has been a blessing to me daily. It gives me hope and consolation .
Urdaneta City, Pangasinan, Philippines
How precious you are Lord Jesus . 아멘 ☺☺
Good song.
Spokane, WA, United States
Like others before, I woke this morning with this song in my spirit - "Jesus the very thought of Thee". What a blessing to have this resource!
Taipei, Taiwan
Hi my name is Sky. Lord Jesus. I have your songs. I love it and I believe all that You say because I love You.