From the Latin by Edward Caswall MY God, I love thee! not because I hope for heaven thereby; Nor because those who love thee not Must burn eternally. Thou, 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, Yea, death itself,—and all for one That 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 everlasting 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.
“My God, I love Thee”
Collection:
Sub Title:
I. The Divine Element—(God, Christ, the Holy Spirit)
More from Poet
|
From the Latin by Edward Caswall MY God, I love thee! not because I hope for heaven thereby; Nor because those who love thee not Must burn eternally. Thou, O my Jesus, thou didst me Upon the cross embrace! For me didst bear the nails and spear, And manifold disgrace, And griefs and... |