Psalm 42:1,2
Words Attributed to Bernard of Clairvaux, 1091-1153
Music by John B. Dykes, 1823-1876
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This hymn comes from the height of the Middle Ages, a
period of history often scornfully called "The Dark Ages."
The spiritual and moral darkness of the Church reached a
new blackness. The institution founded by Christ some
1,000 years prior was for the most part degenerate and
corrupt. The moral standards of many of its prominent
leaders were characterized by utter disgrace and shame.
Bernard was born to a noble family at Fontaine in
Burgundy, France; his father was a knight and his mother a
person of radiant goodness. At an early age young Bernard
showed a bent for piety and scholarship. With his natural
charms and talents Bernard had many opportunities open to
him for a successful secular life. However, while still in
his early twenties, he chose the life of a monk at the
monastery of Citeaux. Within three years his forceful
personality, talents and leadership qualities were
recognized, and he was asked to form other branches of
this order throughout Europe. Within Bernard's lifetime
162 other such monasteries were founded. One of these new
monasteries was at Clairvaux, France, where Bernard was
made its abbot or head. Here he remained until his death
in 1153.
It is generally agreed that Bernard of Clairvaux was the
greatest of the medieval leaders of this period. He is
said to have represented the best of monastic life of his
time. In the sixteenth century Martin Luther wrote of
Bernard that "he was the best monk that ever lived, whom I
admire beyond all the rest put together." Bernard's
influence was soon felt throughout Europe. It is said that
he commanded kings, emperors, and prelates, and they
obeyed him. In 1146 he was commissioned by the pope to
lead a second preaching crusade against the Moslems. With
his eloquence and strong preaching, great crowds followed
him. One of the conditions for those joining the Crusade
was a personal conversion experience. It is recorded that
multitudes of vicious men were changed through his
preaching and carried a cross unashamedly as a symbol of
their commitment to Christ and this Crusade.
Bernard wrote a number of books, chiefly on such subjects
as church government, monasticism, and other
church-related topics. It is generally thought that he
wrote a long 192 line poem entitled "Dulcis Jesu Memorial"
("Joyful Rhythm on the Name of Jesus"). From this poem
Edward Caswall in the nineteenth century translated
portions of the lines for this hymn text. Bernard is also
credited with the text for "O Sacred Head Now Wounded"
(101 More Hymn Stories, No. 70).
Edward Caswall is considered to be one of the important
nineteenthcentury English translators of ancient hymnody.
He was born in Yately, Hampshire, England, on July 15,
1814. Though ordained to the Anglican Church, he became
strongly involved in the Oxford Movement that began in
England in the 1830's. Finally, in 1847, Caswall resigned
his Anglican pastorate at Stratford and was received into
the fellowship of the Roman Catholic Church. Following the
death of his wife in 1849, he was ordained as a Catholic
Priest. His most significant publication was Lyra
Catholic, 1849, which contained 197 translations of Latin
hymns from the Roman Breviary and other sources. This
translation was part of that collection.
Caswall is also the translator of the well-known German
hymn, "May Jesus Christ be Praised".
The tune, "St. Agnes," was composed by John B. Dykes, who
wrote more than 300 hymn tunes, most of them still in use
today.
Other hymns by John B. Dykes include "Holy, Holy, Holy", "I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say",
"Lead, Kindly Light", "Eternal Father, Strong to
Save", and "O for a Closer
Walk With God".
Quoted from "101 Hymn Stories" by Kenneth Osbeck. Kregel Publishers, P.O. Box 2607, Grand Rapids, MI 49501, 1982.
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