Musical Notes

Hello OCBC family,
“May be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s love, and to know Christ’s love that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:18-19.

There is a old poem in Latin called, “Jesu dulcis memoria” and its author was Bernard of Clairvaux (c. 1090-1153). He was the son of a knight, from a very wealthy family. His desire was to follow a military career, but he was very sick when he was young, then he became a monk. He founded a famous monastery near Clairvaux. He became a very powerful preacher in his era, and is remembered as a pious man. Even Martin Luther admired him, and said, “Bernard, the best monk that ever lived, whom I admire beyond all the rest put together.”

This poem was translated into English, and now we know it as the famous hymn, “Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee.” The text expresses the feeling of joy and bliss that only Christ can provide.

“Jesus, the very thought of Thee
with sweetness fills my breast;
but sweeter far Thy face to see,
and in Thy presence rest.”

Let me share with you some excerpts from his writing and sermons:

• I was made a sinner by deriving my being from Adam; I am made righteous be being washed in the blood of Christ.
• You wish me to tell you why and how God should be loved. My answer is that God Himself is the reason He is to be loved.

Bernard was not a perfect man, but he served a perfect God, and we can see his love for his Savior through his hymns and sermons. We just sang another of his hymns last Sunday, “O Sacred Head Now Wounded.”
Please, use “Jesus, the Very thought of Thee” for your quiet time and adore our wonderful Savior, Jesus the Christ.

“Jesus, our only Joy be Thou,
as Thou our Prize wilt be;
Jesus, be Thou our Glory now
and through eternity.”
​
In His service,
Israel