O Deus ego amo te

My God, I love Thee, not because
I hope for Heav’n thereby;
Nor because they, 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;
E’en death itself—and all for one
Who was thine enemy.

Then why, O blessed Jesu Christ!
Should I not love Thee well;
Not for the sake of winning Heaven,
Or of escaping Hell:

Not with the hope of gaining ought;
Not seeking a reward;
But, as Thyself hast loved me,
O ever-loving 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.