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 blessed realms of light Gave strength to His aching heart that night.
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.
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.
Source:
The Cyber Hymnal (http://www.hymntime.com/tch/htm/i/l/o/iloveHim.htm)