Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary ‎#315

315. Jesus, The Very Thought of Thee

1 Jesus, the very thought of thee
With sweetness fills the 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 mem'ry find
A sweeter sound than Thy blest name,
O Savior of mankind!

3 O Hope of ev'ry contrite heart,
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.

5 Jesus, our only Joy be Thou
As Thou our Prize wilt be;
Jesus, be Thou our Glory now
And through eternity.

Text Information

• First Line: Jesus, the very thought of Thee
• Title: Jesus, The Very Thought of Thee
• Latin Title: Iesu dulcis memoria
• Author (attributed to): Bernard of Clairvaux, 1090-1153 (cento)
• Translator: E. Caswall, 1814-78 (alt.)
• Meter: C M
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1996
• Scripture:
  Song of Solomon 2:3-4

Tune Information

• Name: CLAIRVAUX
• Composer: H. A. Polack, 1862-1930
• Meter: C M
• Key: E♭ Major