1. Christ Jesus my Lord from Heaven came,
    To save me from guilt and sin and shame;
    His death on the cross of Calvary
    Brought pardon and gave me liberty.

    • Refrain:
      I love Him because He first loved me,
      He first loved me, He first loved me;
      I love Him because He first loved me,
      And died on the cross of Calvary.
  2. He sweat drops of blood in prayer for me,
    Heartbroken in dark Gethsemane;
    While angels from blessed realms of light
    Gave strength to His aching heart that night.
  3. Up Calvary’s hill the cross He bore,
    And for me a crown of thorns He wore;
    They nailed Him upon the tree to die,
    Then darkness came over earth and sky.
  4. My Lord who was slain by sinful man,
    A wonderful friend to me has been;
    He rose from the tomb with victory,
    And now I love Him who first loved me.