1000 Songs/Jesus the very thought of Thee (Bernard of Clairvaux)
Jesus the very thought of Thee (Bernard of Clairvaux)
Text
[edit | edit source]Jesus, the very thought of Thee
With sweetness fills the breast;
But sweeter far Thy face to see,
And in Thy presence rest.
Nor voice can sing, nor heart can frame,
Nor can the memory find
A sweeter sound than Thy blest Name,
O Savior of mankind!
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!
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.
Author
[edit | edit source]Translations/Challenges
[edit | edit source]Translated by Edward Caswall
Editor's Choice
[edit | edit source]Music
[edit | edit source]Tune
[edit | edit source]St. Agnes
Arrangements
[edit | edit source]Same tune is found in a lower setting: Happy the Home When God Is There
Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee- A cantata by Sally DeFord Music http://www.defordmusic.com/jesustheverythoughtoftheecantata.htm
Editor's Choice
[edit | edit source]Background
[edit | edit source]Author biography
[edit | edit source]Bernard of Clairvaux was a French abbot, confessor, and Doctor of the Church. He was a primary member in the Cistercian order. Three years after his admittance into the Cistercian order, he was sent to found a new abbey in Val d’Absinthe. He named the monastery Claire Vallée, which later evolved to Clairvaux. He died August 20, 1153 and was give the title “Doctor of the Church” by Pope Pius VIII.=== Author's circumstances ===