My Eternal King

by Jane Marshall

My God, I love thee; not because I hope for heav'n thereby,

     nor yet because who love thee not must die eternally.

Thou O my Jesus, thou didst me upon the cross embrace;

     for me didst bear the nails and spear, and manifold disgrace;

Why, then why, O blessed Jesus Christ, should I not love thee well?

     Not for hope of winning heav'n, or of escaping hell;

Not with the hope of gaining aught, 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.