Evangelical Lutheran hymnal ‎#284a

284a. Jesus! the very thought of Thee

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 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
• Author: Bernard of Clairvaux (ca. 1139)
• Translator: Edward Caswell (1849)
• Meter: C. M. No. 2
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1908
• Topic: The Catechism: The Redeemer; Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity; Sunday after Christmas

Tune Information

• Name: EVAN
• Arranger: William Henry Havergal (1877)
• Meter: C. M. No. 2
• Key: A♭ Major
• Source: Welsh Melody