Jesus, Priceless Treasure
Jesus, priceless treasure, source of purest pleasure, truest friend to me
Jesus, Priceless Treasure is a hymn text by Johann Franck; tr. Catherine Winkworth (1653) in 6.5.6.5 D meter. Found in elw 775, lbw 457, lsb 743.
One of the great Lutheran devotional hymns, expressing the believer's love for Christ as the supreme treasure above all earthly goods. The six stanzas address Christ directly with increasing intimacy. Bach's motet Jesu meine Freude (BWV 227) is one of the most significant choral works in the repertoire.
History & Background
Written by Johann Franck (1618-1677) in 1653 as Jesu meine Freude. Bach wrote a magnificent motet based on this chorale (BWV 227) interweaving stanzas of the hymn with Romans 8. Translated by Catherine Winkworth in 1863.
Hymnal Appearances
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 775
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 457
- Lutheran Service Book — 743
Bulletin Note
Jesus, Priceless Treasure — Johann Franck, 1653
Preaching Connection
Christ as the supreme treasure above all earthly goods — connects to Matthew 13:44-46.
Overview
Franck's 'Jesu, meine Freude' is one of the most beloved Lutheran hymns of devotion to Jesus, made famous by Bach's motet (BWV 227). It moves from longing for Jesus as treasure (st. 1), to resting in his arms amid storms (st. 2), to defiance of Satan, death, fear, and the world (st. 3), to renouncing earthly treasure and glory (st. 4-5), and ends with joy that drives out fear (st. 6). It is mystical in tone but anchored in the objective security of belonging to Christ.
Central theme: Jesus as the believer's supreme treasure, refuge, and joy, beside whom nothing else is needed
Structure
Longing (1); refuge (2); defiance (3); renunciation (4-5); joy (6). Bracketed by 'Jesus, priceless Treasure' (st. 1 and the last line of st. 6).
Law & Gospel Shape
Gospel; renunciation of sin and the world is the fruit of possessing Christ.
Confessional Connections
First Commandment: fear, love, and trust God above all (Christ as the only treasure). Assurance and the theology of the cross (st. 4: 'Pain or loss, or shame or cross').
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Communion; funerals; Trinity-season Sundays on discipleship; Matt 13:44-46; devotional use.
Historical Notes
Franck (1618-1677), mayor of Guben, also wrote 'Soul, Adorn Thyself with Gladness.' Bach's motet BWV 227 alternates its stanzas with Romans 8.
About the Tune
JESU, MEINE FREUDE (Johann Crüger, 1653) — intimate, with short repeated phrases and a reflective cadence.
Scripture References
Matt 13:44-46 Ps 73:25-26 Song 2:16 Ps 46:1-3 Rom 8:31-39 Phil 3:7-8 1 John 2:15-17 John 16:22
Stanza by Stanza
Jesus is a priceless treasure, a fountain of pure joy, the truest friend; the singer longs for him in anguish; Jesus, the divine Lamb, is his, and he will let nothing hide Christ or ask for anything else.
The treasure image comes from Matt 13:44-46: the man who sells everything for the pearl of great price. 'Fount of purest pleasure' (Ps 16:11; 36:8-9). 'Truest Friend' (John 15:15). 'How long… shall my spirit languish' — longing language from the Psalms (Ps 42:1-2; 13:1). 'Thou art mine, O Lamb divine' — possession by faith (Song 2:16). 'Naught I ask beside Thee' echoes Ps 73:25 ('Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you'). This is the First Commandment fulfilled in faith: Christ above all.
- Scripture
- Matt 13:44-46, Ps 16:11, Ps 36:8-9, John 15:15, Ps 42:1-2, Song 2:16, Ps 73:25-26
- Imagery & language
- Treasure; fountain; Lamb.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — Christ possessed by faith.
- Connection to previous
- Opening confession.
Resting in Jesus' arms, enemies cannot reach me; though the earth shakes and hearts tremble, Jesus calms my fear; in lightning and thunder, though sin and hell attack, Jesus will not fail me.
Ps 46:1-3 ('though the earth gives way… though its waters roar'). Christ's arms (Deut 33:27, 'underneath are the everlasting arms'; Isa 40:11). The storm images may reflect the Thirty Years' War. 'Though sin and hell assail me, / Jesus will not fail me' — the believer's security is not the absence of attack but Christ's faithfulness (Heb 13:5; John 10:28).
- Scripture
- Ps 46:1-3, Deut 33:27, Isa 40:11, Heb 13:5, John 10:28-29
- Imagery & language
- Arms; earthquake; lightning and thunder.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — security in Christ.
- Connection to previous
- From longing to resting.
The singer defies Satan, rejects death, commands fear to stop, and tells the world it cannot harm him while he sings of peace; God's power guards him; earth bows silently before God.
A defiant address to the enemies, like Luther's 'A Mighty Fortress.' Satan (Jas 4:7), death (1 Cor 15:55), fear (1 John 4:18), and the world (John 16:33) are each confronted. 'While I sing of peace' — the peace of Christ (John 14:27). 'God's great power / Guards every hour' (1 Pet 1:5, 'guarded through faith'). The defiance is not self-confidence but confidence in Christ (Rom 8:31).
- Scripture
- Jas 4:7, 1 Cor 15:55, 1 John 4:18, John 16:33, 1 Pet 1:5, Rom 8:31
- Imagery & language
- Defiance of personified enemies.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — victory through Christ.
- Connection to previous
- Defiance.
Away with earthly treasure and empty glory; Jesus is my joy and choice; the world's tempting story means nothing; pain, loss, shame, or cross cannot move me from my Savior, since he loves me.
Renunciation follows from the treasure of st. 1 (Phil 3:7-8). 'Jesus is my Choice' — not a meritorious decision but the delight of faith. The theology of the cross appears: 'Pain or loss, / Or shame or cross, / Shall not from my Savior move me' (Rom 8:35-39). The reason is decisive: 'Since He deigns to love me' — his love precedes and secures ours (1 John 4:19).
- Scripture
- Phil 3:7-8, Matt 6:19-21, Rom 8:35-39, 1 John 4:19, Heb 11:24-26
- Imagery & language
- Earthly treasure; empty glory; tempting voice.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — love that holds.
- Connection to previous
- Renouncing rivals.
The singer leaves the evil world, which can no longer deceive; sin that once blinded him must stay behind; pride and power have had their hour; he cuts the bonds of sinful life forever.
Echoes of baptismal renunciation ('Do you renounce the devil… and all his ways?'). 'Get thee far behind me' recalls Jesus to Satan (Matt 16:23). 'Sin that once did blind me' (2 Cor 4:4; John 9:39). 'Thy bonds I sever' — freedom from sin's dominion (Rom 6:6, 17-18). This is the daily return to Baptism Luther describes: drowning the old Adam.
- Scripture
- 1 John 2:15-17, Matt 16:23, 2 Cor 4:4, Rom 6:6, 17-18, Gal 6:14
- Imagery & language
- Leaving the world; blindness; bonds severed.
- Law / Gospel
- Sanctification — renunciation.
- Connection to previous
- Renouncing the world and sin.
Fear and sadness must go, for Jesus, the Lord of gladness, comes in; those who love the Father keep peace inside though storms gather; whatever I must bear, Jesus remains my purest pleasure, my priceless treasure.
The hymn ends in joy: Christ 'enters in' (Rev 3:20; John 14:23). 'Those who love the Father… still have peace within' (Rom 8:28; Phil 4:7). The theology of the cross again: 'whate'er I here must bear' — joy coexists with suffering (2 Cor 6:10, 'sorrowful, yet always rejoicing'). The final line returns to the first: 'Jesus, priceless Treasure!'
- Scripture
- Rev 3:20, John 14:23, John 16:22, Phil 4:7, 2 Cor 6:10
- Imagery & language
- Fear driven out; storms; treasure.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — joy in Christ.
- Connection to previous
- Returns to the opening.
Themes
Love for Christ Treasure Devotion Bach