You help make Hymnary.org possible.

In 2025, more than 10 million people from 200+ countries found hymns, liturgical resources, and encouragement here. If Hymnary has meant something to you this year, would you take a moment to help sustain it? A gift of any size — and a note of encouragement, if you'd like to share one — directly supports the server costs, research, and curation that keep this resource freely available to the world.

Give securely online today, or mail a check to:
Hymnary.org (c/o Calvin University)
3201 Burton Street SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546

Thank you for being part of this important online ministry resource.

368a. Jesu, the very thought of thee

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

2 No voice can sing, no heart can frame,
nor can the mem'ry find,
a sweeter sound than Jesu' name,
the Savior of mankind.

3 O hope of ev'ry contrite heart,
O joy of all the meek,
to those who ask 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
his true disciples know.

5 Jesu, our only joy be thou,
as thou our prize wilt be;
in thee be all our glory now,
and through eternity.

Text Information
First Line: Jesu, the very thought of thee
Title: Jesu, the very thought of thee
Author: St. Bernard of Clairvaux, 1091-1153
Translator: Edward Caswall, 1814-1878 (alt.)
Meter: CM
Language: English
Publication Date: 2000
Scripture:
Topic: Joy, Praise and Thanksgiving; Year A: Lent 3
Tune Information
Name: METZLER'S REDHEAD
Composer: Richard Redhead, 1820-1901
Meter: CM
Key: D Major



Media
More media are available on the text authority and tune authority pages.

Suggestions or corrections? Contact us
It looks like you are using an ad-blocker. Ad revenue helps keep us running. Please consider white-listing Hymnary.org or getting Hymnary Pro to eliminate ads entirely and help support Hymnary.org.