Lord’s Day, Vol. 7 No. 35

Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee

 Psalm 42:1-2 To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah.As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?  

 This hymn comes from the height of the Middle Ages, a period of history often scornfully called “The Dark Ages.” The spiritual and moral darkness of the Church reached a new blackness. The institution founded by Christ some 1,000 years prior was for the most part degenerate and corrupt. The moral standards of many of its prominent leaders were characterized utter disgrace and shame.

The author of this hymn is attributed to Bernard of Clairvaux (1091-1153). Bernard was born to a noble family at Fontaine in Burgundy, France; his father was a knight and his mother a person of radiant goodness. At an early age young Bernard showed a bent for piety and scholarship. With his natural charms and talents Bernard had many opportunities open to him for a successful secular life. However, while still in his early twenties, he chose the life of a monk at the monastery of Citeaux.

Within three years his forceful personality, talents and leadership qualities were recognized, and he was asked to form other branches of this order throughout Europe. Within Bernard’s lifetime 162 other such monasteries were founded. One of these new monasteries was at Clairvaux, France, where Bernard was made its abbot or head. Here he remained until his death in 1153.

It is generally agreed that Bernard of Clairvaux was the greatest of the medieval leaders of this period. He is said to have represented the best of monastic life of his time. In the sixteenth century Martin Luther wrote of Bernard that “he was the nest monk that ever lived, whom I admire beyond all the rest put together.” Bernard’s influence was soon felt throughout Europe.

It is said that he commanded kings, emperors, and prelates, and they obeyed him. In 1146 he was commissioned to lead a second preaching crusade.

With his eloquence and strong preaching, great crowds followed him. One of the conditions for those joining the Crusade was a personal conversion experience. It is recorded that multitudes of vicious men were changed through his preaching and carried a cross unashamedly as a symbol of their commitment to Christ and this Crusade.

Bernard wrote a number of books, chiefly on such subjects as church government, monasticism, and other church-related topics. It is generally thought that he wrote a lone 192 line poem entitled “Dulcis Jesu Memorial” (“Joyful Rhythm on the Name of Jesus”). From this poem Edward Caswall in the nineteenth century translated portions of the lines for this hymn text. Bernard is also credited with the text for “O Sacred Head Now Wounded”.

The hymn “Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee!” was translated by Edward Caswall. He is considered to be one of the leading translators of ancient hymnody. He was born in Yately, Hampshire, England, on July 15, 1814. Though ordained to the Anglican Church, he became strongly involved in the Oxford Movement that began in England in 1830’s.

Jesus! The Very Thought of Thee

Jesus, the very thought of Thee
With sweetness fills my breast:
But sweeter far Thy face to see,
And in Thy presence rest.

(Chorus)
O Thou the Balsam of the garden,
O Thou the sweet rose of Sharon!
Thou art the Lily of the Valley
How shall I part with Thee?

No voice can sing, no heart can frame,
Nor can the mem’ry find,
A sweeter sound than Jesus’ name,
The Saviour of mankind.

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!

But what to those who find? Ah! this
Nor tongue nor pen can show,
The love of Jesus, what it is
None but His loved ones know.

[Extracted and edited from 101 Hymn Stories by Kenneth W. Osbeck]

Yours lovingly,

Pastor Lek Aik Wee