When the day feels hard or hollow, pray this medieval hymn that rests in the Name of Jesus. Attributed to a 12th-century Cistercian monk (possibly St. Bernard of Clairvaux), it lingers on the sweetness of Christ’s Name and the deeper sweetness of His presence.
Jesus, the very thought of thee with sweetness fills my breast; but sweeter far thy face to see, and in thy presence rest. No voice can sing, no heart can frame, nor can the memory find a sweeter sound than thy blest Name, O Savior of mankind. 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! 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. Jesus, our only joy be thou, as thou our prize wilt be; Jesus, be thou our glory now, and through eternity.
Anonymous Cistercian, 12th century; traditionally St. Bernard of Clairvaux
How this prayer works
The prayer moves from thinking about Jesus, to seeing Him, to finding Him. It begins with the thought of His Name bringing sweetness, then acknowledges that His presence is sweeter still. The Cistercian monks who prayed this daily knew that even the memory of Christ consoles, but encountering Him surpasses all language.
The final stanza is a petition: that Jesus would be our only joy now and forever. St. Bernard of Clairvaux, to whom this hymn is often attributed, championed devotion to the Holy Name in the 12th century, teaching that the Name of Jesus is honey to the mouth, melody to the ear, and gladness to the heart.
Pray it slowly when you need to refocus on Christ alone. You might pray it at the start of your prayer of the day, or before bed when the mind is cluttered. Let each line sit for a breath before moving to the next.
Carry it through this Sunday.
