Recently I had the privilege of singing with my old college choir while visiting my Alma Mater. One of the songs we sang was an arrangement that I had sung nearly 10 years ago while I was in choir: Jane Marshall’s “My Eternal King. Her arrangement is a masterful work of the old text “My Eternal King.”The text has had a profound impact on me during the years following my time in choir. I post it here for your edification.
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, the nails and spear,
And manifold disgrace.
Why, then why, O blessed Jesus Christ,
Should I not love Thee well?
Not for the 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.