Jesus. the Very Thought of Thee - Hymn with Lyrics

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. 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!

3. 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.

4. Jesus, our only joy be thou,
as thou our prize wilt be;
Jesus, be thou our glory now,
and through eternity.  

Scripture; Exodus 33:12-23; 1 Samuel 2:8; 

2 Samuel 2:11-12

The hymn "Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee" originated as part of a Latin poem titled "Jesu Dulcis Memoria" attributed to Bernard of Clairvaux, a 12th-century French abbot and theologian renowned for his deep spiritual writings. This poem originally contained about 42-50 stanzas dedicated to Christ, emphasizing His love, presence, and beauty. Bernard's devout life and theology profoundly shaped medieval Christian thought, and his poetic works reflect his intense personal devotion to Jesus.

The English version most widely known today was translated by Edward Caswall in 1849. Caswall, a 19th-century Anglican priest who later converted to Catholicism, preserved the hymn's focus on the sweetness of Jesus' name and the joy found in His presence. Caswall's translation selects a few stanzas from the longer Latin poem, rendering them into a form suited for worship.

The tune commonly associated with the hymn, St. Agnes, was composed by John B. Dykes in 1866. This pairing has helped the hymn maintain its place as a cherished expression of devotion across Christian traditions.