Sunday’s hymn of the day is Jesus,
Priceless Treasure (LSB #743). It is a great hymn of faith, trusting
in Jesus in spite of all trials and tribulations, sadness and trouble. Written
in 1641, it soon made its way into most hymnals, being paired with a strong
melody, one of the finest German Lutheran chorales.
“Jesus, Priceless Treasure”
(Lutheran Service Book, #743)
Biblically informed individuals are quite aware that since The Fall hardships, temporal and spiritual temptations, and trials are weighty challenges that will confront them throughout their life. Believers and unbelievers alike, no one escapes them!
Johann Franck (1618-1677), who penned “Jesus, Priceless Treasure”, knew of many difficult hardships. In fact, he chronicles a variety of them in this hymn, e.g. “storms”, “empty glory”, Satan’s tempting, and others. How he confronts them—in some instances quite defiantly, can provide encouragement to the reader/singer. Clearly reflected is a confident Biblical faith that enables this positive confrontation.
Realizing Franck was born the same year the 30 Years War commenced, and living several decades thereafter, he would have known from firsthand experiences and observation about dealing with various kinds of deprivation, unnatural loss of lives, property and possessions, and premature death for many.
Yet, what shines through in this hymn is the stalwart assurance he finds in the “Priceless Treasure”. Boldly, even exuberantly, Franck’s words can help us confidently sing of where true, enduring safety, peace, and “purest Pleasure” are to be found.
Several complementary components contribute to the widespread appeal of this hymn in America. Deserving particular recognition are the buoyant chorale tune “Jesu, meine Freude” and the splendid English translation that are commonly partners when it is sung. Separated from these, it is hard to imagine this poem having its breadth of recognition and being included in multiple Christian hymnals in this century.
Some of its textual richness can be further appreciated by focusing on various expressive adjectives, verbs, and salient nouns, each of which assists in illuminating a bit more brightly and clearly a life that has its abiding trust in Jesus, the priceless Treasure.
As an avenue for initiating a devotional encounter with some of these enriching words, begin in stanza one with the first adjective: “priceless”. What or how does it offer potential for further and richer appreciation of its partner noun “Treasure”? Consider, then, reflecting on the other adjectives, verbs, and nouns in the stanza.
Allowing particular words sufficient time to stimulate and unveil additional meaning could be blessed by taking a few devotional minutes each day during the week to focus on just a single stanza: stanza one on Monday; stanza two on Tuesday; etc., finishing on Saturday with stanza six, culminating then with the singing the complete hymn on Sunday.
For starters, try reflecting on these from
stanza one:
—with each, allow a little time for a thought
or two to develop—
- “priceless” . . . a value that is beyond a
monetary consideration . . .
- “treasure” . . . for a young child it may be a cozy blanket, or a cuddly fuzzy toy.
What do youths, many adults, or do I,
personally, hold in very, very high esteem?
- “truest” . . . in what sense?
- “yearning”. . . how?; why?
- “suffer” . . . what does it mean here?[1]
-16 October 2021
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