Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee
Knowing Jesus is sweeter than anyone else, and ultimately, beyond words
stanza theme: praising His presence
1 Jesus, the very thought of Thee
With sweetness fills my breast;
But sweeter far Thy face to see
And in Thy presence rest.
stanza theme: praising His name
2 No voice can sing, no heart can frame,
Nor can the mem'ry find
A sweeter sound than Thy blest Name,
O Savior of mankind.
stanza theme: praising His goodness
3 O hope of every contrite heart,
O joy of all the meek,
To those who fall[1], how kind Thou art!
How good to those who seek!
[1] meditate: God’s goodness extending to those who fall, which is all of us, and how kind & good He is to those who seek Him & repent
stanza theme: praising His love
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.[2]
[2] the experience of knowing Christ is truly beyond description
stanza theme: praising Jesus being our hope
5 Jesus, our only joy be Thou,
As Thou our prize wilt be;
Jesus, be Thou our glory now
And through eternity.
The theme of this hymn is to focus our mind on how our relationship with Jesus is intimately personal. One can’t put it necessarily in words. God’s name is above every other name, His ways are beyond our ways. Let’s worship Him and set our minds on His name as often as we can.
Author: Bernard of Clairvaux; Edward Caswall
Composer: John B. Dykes
Meter: 8.6.8.6
Tune name: ST. AGNES