The United Methodist Hymnal

470

My God, I Love Thee

1.	My God, I love thee, not because 
	I hope for heaven thereby, 
	nor yet because, if I love not, 
	I must forever die.

2.	Thou, O my Jesus, thou didst me 
	upon the cross embrace; 
	for me didst bear the nails and spear 
	and manifold disgrace.

3.	Then why, O blessed Jesus Christ, 
	should I not love thee well? 
	Not for the sake of winning heaven, 
	nor of escaping hell.

4.	Not with the hope of gaining aught,
	not seeking a reward, 
	but as thyself hast loved me, 
	O everlasting Lord.

5.	So would I love thee, dearest Lord, 
	and in thy praise will sing; 
	because thou art my loving God 
	and my eternal King.

WORDS: Edward Caswall, 1849
Theme: Hope; Jesus Christ: Love For; Sanctifiying and Perfecting Grace: Prayer, Trust, Hope