Our Most Loving King

St. Francis Xavier’s Hymn of Love (1552)

O God, I love Thee not because

I hope for heaven thereby,

Not yet because who love Thee not

Are lost 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 me

Who was Thine enemy.

Then why, O blessed Jesus Christ

Should I not love Thee well?

Not for the sake of winning heaven,

Nor of escaping hell;

Not with the hope of gaining aught,

Not seeking a reward;

But, as Thyself hast loved me,

O ever-loving Lord?

Even so I love Thee, and will love,

And in Thy praise will sing;

Solely because Thou art my God

And my most loving King.