1 My God, I love Thee, not because
I hope for heav'n thereby;
Nor yet because who love Thee not
Must burn 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,
Yea, death itself; and all for one
That was Thine enemy.

4 Then why, O blessed Savior, Christ,
Should I not love Thee well?
Not for the hope of winning heav'n,
Nor of escaping hell;

5 Not with the hope of gaining aught,
Not seeking a reward;
But solely for Thy love to me,
O ever-loving Lord?

6 E’en so I love Thee, and will love,
And in Thy praise will sing,
Alone because Thou art my God,
And my eternal King.