1 My God, I love thee; not because
I hope for heaven thereby,
Nor yet because who love thee not
Are lost 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
That was thine enemy.

4 Then why, O blessèd Jesu Christ,
Should I not love thee well,
Not for the hope of winning heaven,
Or 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.