Jesus, the very thought of Thee (Bernard of Clairvaux)

348 St. Agnew. C. M.

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

2. Nor voice can sing, nor heart can frame,
   Nor can the memory find
   A sweeter sound than Thy blest name,
   O Savior of mankind!

3. 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!

4. 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.

5. Jesus, our only joy be Thou,
   As Thou our prize will be;
   Jesus be Thou our glory now,
   And through eternity.
                         Authorship uncertain
                         Ascribed to Bernard of Clairvaux
                         Tr. by Edward Caswall
                         The Methodist Hymnal 1939 edition

<idle musing>
As is usual with these older hymns, there are a variety of verses in the various hymnals. Cyberhymnal adds these:

6. O Jesus, King most wonderful
   Thou Conqueror renowned,
   Thou sweetness most ineffable
   In whom all joys are found!

7. When once Thou visitest the heart,
   Then truth begins to shine,
   Then earthly vanities depart,
   Then kindles love divine.

8. O Jesus, light of all below,
   Thou fount of living fire,
   Surpassing all the joys we know,
   And all we can desire.

9. Jesus, may all confess Thy name,
   Thy wondrous love adore,
   And, seeking Thee, themselves inflame
   To seek Thee more and more.

10. Thee, Jesus, may our voices bless,
   Thee may we love alone,
   And ever in our lives express
   The image of Thine own.

11. O Jesus, Thou the beauty art
   Of angel worlds above;
   Thy name is music to the heart,
   Inflaming it with love.

12. Celestial sweetness unalloyed,
   Who eat Thee hunger still;
   Who drink of Thee still feel a void
   Which only Thou canst fill.

13. O most sweet Jesus, hear the sighs
   Which unto Thee we send;
   To Thee our inmost spirit cries;
   To Thee our prayers ascend.

14. Abide with us, and let Thy light
   Shine, Lord, on every heart;
   Dispel the darkness of our night;
   And joy to all impart.

15. Jesus, our love and joy to Thee,
   The virgin’s holy Son,
   All might and praise and glory be,
   While endless ages run.

Although the added verses are really good, it seems a bit long to be sung regularly :)
</idle musing>