The Hymnal Of The Protestant Episcopal Church In The Usa

C.M.

[895]St. Bernard:

Cologne, 1741

Latin; Ascribed to Francis Xavier;

Tr. Edward Caswall, 1849;

Alt.

My God, I love thee: not because

I hope for heaven thereby;

Nor yet because if I love not

I must for ever die.

But, O my Jesus, thou didst me

Upon the cross embrace;

For me didst bear the nails and spear,

And manifold disgrace,

And griefs and torments numberless,

And sweat of agony,

E'en death itself; and all for me

Who was thine enemy.

Then why, O blessèd Jesus Christ,

Should I not love thee well?

Not for the hope of winning heaven,

Nor of escaping hell;

Not with the hope of gaining aught;

Not seeking a reward:

But as thyself hast lovèd 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.

Amen.