Psalter Hymnal (Gray) ‎#307

307. O Jesus, Joy of Loving Hearts

1 O Jesus, joy of loving hearts,
the fount of life, the light of men,
from fullest bliss that earth imparts
we turn unfilled to you again.

2 Your truth unchanged has ever stood;
you save all those who on you call.
To those who seek you, you are good;
to those who find you, all in all.

3 We taste you, ever-living Bread,
and long to feast upon you still;
we drink of you, the fountainhead,
our thirst to quench, our souls to fill.

4 Our restless spirits yearn for you
where'er our changeful lot is cast;
glad when you smile on us anew,
blest that our faith can hold you fast.

5 O Jesus, ever with us stay;
make all our moments calm and bright!
Chase the dark night of sin away;
shed o'er the world your holy light!

Text Information

• First Line: O Jesus, joy of loving hearts
• Title: O Jesus, Joy of Loving Hearts
• Translator: Ray Palmer (1858, alt.)
• Meter: LM
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1987
• Scripture:
  Joel 2:32
  ;
  Acts 2:21
  ;
  Romans 10:13
  ;
  1 Peter 1:8
  ;
  Acts 2
• Topic: Bread of Life; Lord's Supper; Joy; Light; Word of God
• Source: Latin, 12th Cent.

Tune Information

• Name: QUEBEC
• Composer: Henry Baker (1854)
• Meter: LM
• Incipit: 33351 22355 54234
• Key: E♭ Major

Text Information:

Scripture References:
st. 2 = Joel 2:32, Acts 2:21, Rom. 10:13

This pious, evangelical hymn expresses a yearning for the feeding¬-by-faith symbolized in the Lord's Supper. Christ is the focal point as "the fount of life" (st. 1) and the Light of the World (st. 1, 4).

The original source of this devotional hymn is the Latin poem “Jesu, dulcis memoria” from the late twelfth century. The evangelical fervor of the Latin text has caused some hymnodists to attribute the poem to Bernard of Clairveaux, but without sufficient proof. Ray Palmer (PHH 262) freely translated selected stanzas (4, 3, 20, 28, 10) from the poem. These were published in the Sabbath Hymn Book (1858), beginning with the words “Jesus, thou joy of loving hearts" (see PHH 480). The translated text has been altered for publication in the Psalter Hymnal.

Liturgical Use:
As a partial substitute for one of the Lord's Supper prayers; during distribution of the bread and wine; many other occasions on non-communion Sundays (without st. 3).

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook

Tune Information:

Information on QUEBEC and on the composer can be found at PHH 141. QUEBEC is better suited to the lament character of Psalm 141 than to this Lord's Supper text. GERMANY (111), ROCKINGHAM (178), and WAREHAM (463) are more melodic settings that can be used as alternates. When using QUEBEC, sing in harmony with clean rhythmic articulation on repeated tones; add volume and strength for stanza 5.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook