Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee

Words: Cistercian hymn, Edward Caswall · Music: John B. Dykes · 1849

Verse 1
Jesus, the very thought of thee
with sweetness fills my breast;
but sweeter far thy face to see,
and in thy presence rest.

Verse 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.

Verse 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!

Verse 4
But what to those who find? Ah, this
no tongue or pen can show;
the love of Jesus, what it is
none but his loved ones know.

Verse 5
Jesus, our only hope be thou,
as thou our prize wilt be;
Jesus, be thou our glory now
and through eternity.

Words: Cistercian hymn, 12th c.; tr. Edward Caswall, 1849, alt. | Music: John B. Dykes, 1866

Hope · Jesus as Savior · Jesus, Adoration of · Rest