O God I Love Thee Not That My Poor Love
O God I love thee, not that my poor love
The hymn presents a theologically sound understanding of God's prior love as the foundation and motivation for human love of God, reflecting Luther's emphasis on divine initiative in salvation. It exemplifies how Catholic devotional poetry can express Lutheran theological principles, particularly regarding grace preceding faith.
History & Background
Written by English Oratorian priest Frederick William Faber in 1849, this hymn was first published in his collection 'Jesus and Mary.' It reflects Catholic devotional piety but has found wide acceptance in Lutheran hymnody since its inclusion in LBW.
Hymnal Appearances
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 658
- The Hymnal 1982 — 682
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 491
- Lutheran Worship — 377
Bulletin Note
Written in 1849 by English Catholic poet Frederick William Faber, this hymn bridges Catholic devotional tradition and Lutheran theology by centering divine initiative in salvation—a conviction both traditions hold dear.
Preaching Connection
This hymn embodies the Law-Gospel pattern: it exposes the futility of human merit before God, then proclaims the liberating Gospel—that God's prior and merciful love, made visible in Christ's passion, is both the ground and the goal of Christian devotion.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: From the proclamation of Christ's boundless love (stanza 1), through the believer's total consecration and response (stanza 2), to the sufficiency of Christ for all conditions of life (stanza 3), and finally to faith's perseverance through suffering and earthly loss (stanza 4). The arc moves from gift received to gift lived out in all circumstances.
Themes
God's love Repentance Motivation for faith Divine mercy Christian devotion