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.

He sweat drops of blood in prayer for me,
Heartbroken in dark Geth­se­ma­ne.
While angels from blessèd realms of light
Gave strength to His aching heart that night.

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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.

Refrain

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.

Refrain