My God, I Love Thee
My God, I love Thee; not because I hope for heav'n thereby,
Nor yet because who love Thee not are lost eternally.
Thou, 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 one who was Thine enemy.
Then why, O blessed Jesus Christ should I not love Thee well?
Not for the hope of winning heav'n, or 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.
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