The Hymnal ‎#557

557. My God, I love Thee, not because

1 My God, I love Thee, not because
I hope for heaven thereby;
Nor yet because who love Thee not
Must die eternally.

2 Thou, O my Jesus, Thou didst me
Upon the cross embrace;
For me didst bear the nails and spear,
And manifold disgrace;

3 And griefs and torments numberless,
And sweat of agony,
E'en death itself; and all for one
Who was Thine enemy.

4 Then why, O blessèd Jesus Christ,
Should I not love Thee well?
Not for the hope of winning heaven,
Of of escaping hell;

5 Not with the hope of gaining aught,
Not seeking a reward;
But as Thyself hast lovèd me,
O ever-loving Lord?

6 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.

Amen.

Text Information

• First Line: My God, I love Thee, not because
• Translator: Rev. Edward Caswall (1849, v. 1 lines 3, 4, alt.)
• Author (attributed to): Francis Xavier, 1506-1552
• Publication Date: 1895

Tune Information

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