Common Praise ‎#524b

524b. My God, I love thee; not because

1 My God, I love thee; not because
I hope for heaven thereby,
nor yet because who love thee not
are lost eternally.

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

3 And griefs and torments numberless,
and sweat of agony;
yea, death itself — and all for me
who was thine enemy.

4 Then why, O blessèd Jesu Christ,
should I not love thee well?
Not for the sake of winning heaven,
nor of escaping hell;

5 Not from the hope of gaining aught,
not seeking a reward;
but as thyself hast lovèd me,
O ever-loving Lord.

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

Text Information

• First Line: My God, I love thee; not because
• Latin Title: O deus ego amo te
• Translator: Edward Caswall, 1814-1878
• Meter: CM
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 2000
• Scripture:
  1 John 4:19
  ;
  Galatians 1:20
  ;
  Isaiah 53:5
  ;
  John 19:34
  ;
  Luke 22:44
  ;
  Psalm 18:1
  ;
  Romans 5:10
• Topic: Lent III: Year A; Proper 6: Year B; Passiontide and Holy Week
• Source: Latin, 17th century

Tune Information

• Name: SOLOMON
• Composer: G. F. Handel, 1685-1759
• Meter: CM
• Key: E♭ Major
• Source: Adapted from an aria in Solomon, 1749