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Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring

Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring


Weddings are very special days! The joy, the laughter, the pictures, the bride in her dress, the music, the cake - these are all things that we think about when we get to go and attend someone’s wedding. While each wedding is as special and unique as the bride herself, there are many elements of the wedding that have become so common place that they fade into the background at times. One of them is the music. It’s just expected that certain things get played, including the “Bridal Chorus” by Wagner, the “Pachelbel Cannon” by Pachelbel, one of Vivaldi’s pieces, or “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” by Bach. I promise you, even if you do not recognize these pieces by their names, a quick google search will reveal that you most definitely know these pieces. So well, in fact, that they often fade into the background, as good music is intended to do - more to be felt than heard.

I am actually playing “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” in a wedding today, and will be doing a duet with my youngest daughter when we play it. It’s a lovely piece. It’s been used in a bunch of different forums, including being re-envisioned into a 1972 remake by the English studio group, Apollo 100, simply shortened to “Joy”.

Due to my love of music, anytime I place a particular piece, I want to understand a little of what it’s author intended, especially one so commonplace as this piece. So, I did some research into it. I was blown away by the lyrics (who knew there were lyrics?)!

It turns out that J. S. Bach was writing a large cantata, that was based on an old German Hymn written in 1661 by Martin Jahn, which in turn borrowed its melody from another hymn by Johan Schop from 1642. The lyrics of Jahn’s original piece, translated to English include stanzas that go something like this:


Well for me that I have Jesus,
O how tightly I hold him
that he might refresh my heart,
when I'm sick and sad.
Jesus I have, who loves me
and gives himself to me,
ah, therefore I will not leave Jesus,
Even if I feel my heart is breaking

Jesus remains my joy,
my heart's comfort and essence,
Jesus fends off all suffering,
He is my life's strength,
my eye's desire and sun,
my soul's treasure and pleasure;
Therefore I will not leave Jesus
out of heart and face


This melody, that has become so common place, reflects Jahn’s deep and abiding friendship with and love for Jesus. I was struck by the words. I was challenged by the words. I was touched by the emotion of them. The melody of this song is one that is, well, joyful! But, the lyrics express something even deeper. The lyrics here point at the biblical concept of deep and abiding joy - not happiness. The kind of joy that circumstances cannot take from us. This Jesus is beautiful and worthy of captivating our thoughts and dreams.

Do you know Jesus this way? Is he this real to you?

The next time you’re at a wedding, or hear this popular tune played, stop and consider the source of your joy. Have you found your joy in Jesus? Is He the true Joy of your Desiring?

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