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.