My God, I Love Thee, Not Because

My God, I love Thee: not because

I hope for heav'n thereby;

Nor yet because if I love not

I must for ever die.

But, O my Jesus, Thou didst me

Upon the Cross embrace;

For me didst bear the nails and spear,

And manifold disgrace,

And griefs and torments numberless,

And sweat of agony,

E'en death itself; and all for me

Who was Thine enemy.

Then why, O blessed Jesus Christ,

Should I not love Thee well?

Not for the hope of winning heav'n,

Nor of escaping hell;

Not with the hope of gaining aught;

Not seeking a reward:

But as Thyself hast loved me,

O ever-loving Lord!

E'en so I love thee, and will love,

And in Thy praise will sing;

Solely because Thou art my God,

And my eternal King.