O God, I love Thee; not
that my poor love
May win me entrance to Thy
Heaven above,
Nor yet that strangers to
Thy love must know
The bitterness of
everlasting woe.
But,
Jesus, Thou art mine, and
I am Thine;
Clasped to Thy bosom by
Thy arms divine,
Who on the cruel cross for
me hast borne
The nails, the spear, and
man’s unpitying scorn.
No thought can fathom
and no tongue express
Thy griefs, Thy toils, Thy
anguish measureless,
Thy death, O Lamb of God
the undefiled;
And all for me, Thy
wayward sinful child.
How can I choose but
love Thee, God’s dear Son,
O Jesus, loveliest, and
most loving One!
Were there no Heaven to
gain, no Hell to flee,
For what Thou art alone I
must love Thee.
Not for the hope of
glory or reward
But even as Thyself hast
loved me, Lord,
I love Thee, and will love
Thee and adore,
Who art my King, my God,
for evermore.