Jesu! The Very Thought Is Sweet!

Sequence for the Epiphany and following week
Also for August 7^th, De nomine Jesu

Words: Jesu dulcis memoria (Sequence)
Compare: Jesu dulcis memoria (Hymn), with notes.
Attributed to St. Bernard of Clairvaux (1091-1153)
Translation by Rev. John Mason Neale

Compare: Jesu! The Very Thought Is Sweet! (Neale, #18, Hymn)

Music: "Sequence from the Salisbury Hymnal."

Source: Rev. John Mason Neale and Rev. Thomas Helmore, eds., Hymnal Noted, Part I. (London: Novello & Co., 1852), Part II (London: Novello & Co., 1856), #72, pp. 140-141.

Col. iii., 17.— " Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesua."

1. Jesu !—The very thought is sweet !
In that dear Name all heart-joys meet :
But sweeter than the honey far
The glimpses of His Presence are.

2. No word is sung more sweet than this :
No name is heard more full of bliss :
No thought brings sweeter comfort nigh
Than Jesus, Son of God most high.

3. Jesu ! the hope of souls forlorn !
How good to them for sin that mourn !
To them that seek Thee, oh how kind !
But what art Thou to them that find ?

4. Jesu, Thou sweetness, pure and blest,
Truth's Fountain, Light of souls distress'd,
Surpassing all that heart requires,
Exceeding all that soul desires !

5. No tongue of mortal can express,
No letters write its blessedness :
Alone who hath thee in his heart
Knows, love of Jesus ! what thou art.

6. I seek for Jesus in repose,
When round my heart its chambers close :
Abroad, and when I shut the door,
I long for Jesus evermore.

7. With Mary, in the morning gloom,
I seek for Jesus at the Tomb ;
For Him, with Love's most earnest cry,
I seek with heart, and not with eye.

8. Jesus, to God the Father gone,
Is seated on the Heavenly Throne :
My heart hath also passed from me,
That where He is, there it may be.

9. We follow Jesus now, and raise
The voice of prayer, the hymn of praise,
That He at last may make us meet
With Him to gain the Heavenly Seat. Amen.

Sheet Music to Tunes 1 and 2 from Rev. John Mason Neale and Rev. Thomas Helmore, eds., Hymnal Noted, Part I. (London: Novello & Co., 1852), Part II (London: Novello & Co., 1856), #72, pp. 140-141.

Sheet Music from Thomas Helmore, Accompanying Harmonies to the Hymnal Noted. Part I (London: Novello, Ewer and Co., and Masters and Son, 1852), Part II (London: Novello and Co., Joseph Masters and J. T. Hayes, 1858), #72, Jesu dulcis memoria, pp. 226-231.

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