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Hymnal Number
200Resource Type:
Keys included:
G
About this Hymn
From the same Latin hymn as "Jesus, Thou Joy of Loving Hearts," this translation evokes similar imagery as found in "The Love of God": "No tongue or pen can show the love of Jesus." The translator, Edward Caswall, believed the true spirit of the hymn was in its sense of devotion; indeed, the relationship here is less elevated and more intimately personal than other hymns like it.
Lyrics
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.
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.
Copyrighted lyrics may be used in corporate worship in accordance with a valid CCLI license. Lyrics should be displayed unaltered and include author and copyright information. All other uses require permission from the copyright holder.
Attribution & Copyright
Words: Cistercian hymn, 12th c.; tr. Edward Caswall, 1849, alt.
Music: John B. Dykes, 1866
Music: John B. Dykes, 1866