My God, I love Thee. Not because I hope for heav'n thereby, Nor yet because who love Thee not must die eternally. Thou, O my Jesus, Thou didst me upon the cross embrace; For me didst bear the nails and spear, and manifold disgrace. Why, then why, O blessed Jesus Christ, should I not love thee well? Not for the hope of winning heav'n, or of escaping hell; Not with the hope of gaining aught, not seeking a reward; But as Thyself hast loved me, O everloving Lord! 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.