O Deus, Ego Amo Te

MY God, I love thee: not because

I hope for heaven 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 grief and torments numberless,

And sweat of agony;

Yea, death itself; and all for me

Who was thine enemy.

Then why, O Blessèd Jesu 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 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.