Music by John Bacchus Dykes, words by Bernard of Clairvaux; tr. Edward Caswell
Jesus! the very thought of Thee
With sweetness fills my breast;
But better far Thy face to see,
And in Thy presence rest.
No voice can sing, no heart can frame,
Nor can the memory find
A sweeter sound than Thy blessed 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
No tongue nor pen can show;
The love of Jesus! What it is
None but His loved ones know.
Savior, our only joy be Thou,
As Thou our crown shalt be;
Be Thou, O Lord, our glory now,
And through eternity.