Jesus the Very Thought of Thee

Jesus the Very Thought of Thee is a hymn text by Bernard of Clairvaux (1150) in L.M. meter. Translated by Edward Caswall. Found in ELH 315, ch95 102, elw 316, gtg 611. Sung to ST. BERNARD.

The hymn exemplifies Lutheran appreciation for medieval devotional warmth while maintaining Christ-centered focus; its emphasis on the sweetness of Jesus' name and presence reflects both Catholic mysticism and Protestant personal piety. The text reinforces the doctrine of justification through faith by centering affection and meditation on Christ himself rather than external works.

History & Background

Originally composed in Latin as part of Bernard of Clairvaux's devotional writings on the Song of Songs, likely 12th century. Edward Caswall's English translation appeared in his 1858 Lyra Catholica and became the standard version for Protestant hymnals.

Hymnal Appearances

• Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary — 315
• Chalice Hymnal — 102
• Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 316
• Glory to God — 611
• The Hymnal 1982 — 642
• Lutheran Book of Worship — 316
• Lutheran Worship — 370
• New Century Hymnal — 507
• Trinity Hymnal — 645
• The Lutheran Hymnal — 350
• United Methodist Hymnal — 175
• Voices Together — 598

Translation

Edward Caswall

Bulletin Note

Written by Bernard of Clairvaux (1090–1153), a Cistercian monk whose contemplative spirituality shaped medieval Christianity. Luther and the Reformers treasured such devotional warmth when centered wholly on Christ.

Preaching Connection

This hymn embodies the Gospel's answer to the Law: where the demand for righteousness overwhelms us, the thought of Jesus' name restores us to joy, making faith's comfort the very substance of our salvation.

Stanza Arc

The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: From the sweetness of Christ's thought, to the inadequacy of human language to express his name, to the character of Christ toward the broken and seeking, to the transcendent mystery known only to the beloved—a progression from intellectual contemplation through affective longing to mystical union.

Background Research

From 'Jesu dulcis memoria'. Long credited to Bernard of Clairvaux, but Dom André Wilmart showed it is probably by an English Cistercian: the earliest and best manuscripts are English (oldest in the Bodleian, 12th c., 42 quatrains), and Bernard's name was not attached until the late 13th c. From 1722 the Roman liturgy split it into three hymns for the Feast of the Holy Name. Caswall's 'Jesu, the very thought of Thee' (Lyra Catholica, 1849) is the most popular English version. Source: Hymnology Archive 'Jesu dulcis memoria'.

Overview

Edward Caswall's translation of verses from the medieval 'Jubilus' on the name of Jesus, long ascribed to Bernard of Clairvaux (now usually thought to be by an anonymous English Cistercian). The very thought of Jesus is sweet, but sweeter to see his face (st. 1); no sound is sweeter than his name (st. 2); hope of the contrite, kind to those who fall (st. 3); his love known only by his loved ones (st. 4); be our joy now and our glory forever (st. 5).

Central theme: The sweetness of Jesus' name and love — known now in faith, perfected in seeing his face

Structure

Five common-meter quatrains. Thought vs. sight (1) — the Name (2) — the contrite (3) — the finders (4) — joy and glory (5).

Law & Gospel Shape

Gospel: 'Hope of every contrite heart'; 'To those who fall, how kind Thou art' (3).

Confessional Connections

Song 1:3 (TLH's text): 'your name is oil poured out.' Lutherans sang Bernard gladly — Luther praised him as one who, dying, clung only to Christ's merits. St. 3: Christ is 'Hope of every contrite heart' and 'kind' 'to those who fall' — mercy to the penitent (AC XII). St. 4: 'none but His loved ones know' — faith's knowledge is the Spirit's gift (1 Cor 2:14). St. 1 and 5 distinguish faith now from sight then (1 Pet 1:8; 2 Cor 5:7).

Liturgical Use (Study Notes)

Name of Jesus (January 1); general devotion; Lord's Supper.

Historical Notes

The Latin Jubilus (c. 12th century) was traditionally Bernard's; modern scholarship suggests an English Cistercian (verify). Caswall (1814-1878) translated it in Lyra Catholica (1849).

About the Tune

CLAIRVAUX (Herman A. Polack, 1910).

Scripture References

Song 1:3 Ps 104:34 Rev 22:4 Phil 2:9-10 Acts 4:12 Ps 51:17 Isa 57:15 Matt 7:7-8 Eph 3:19 1 Pet 1:8 Phil 3:14 1 Pet 5:4

Stanza by Stanza

Themes

Devotion to Christ Mystical union with Jesus Sweetness of Christ's name Christocentric piety Affective spirituality

Look Further

• Search Hymnary.org for "Jesus the Very Thought of Thee" ↗
• Search IMSLP for public-domain scores of "ST. BERNARD" ↗