1. ’Tis not that I did choose Thee,
For Lord, that could not be;
This heart would still refuse Thee,
Hadst Thou not chosen me.
Thou from the sin that stained me
Hast cleansed and set me free;
Of old Thou hast ordained me,
That I should live to Thee.
2. ’Twas sov’reign mercy called me
And taught my op’ning mind;
The world had else enthralled me,
To heav’nly glories blind.
My heart owns none before Thee,
For Thy rich grace I thirst;
This knowing, if I love Thee,
Thou must have loved me first.
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4. 'Tis not that I did choose Thee,
For, Lord, that could not be;
This heart would still refuse Thee,
But Thou hast chosen me;
Thou from the sins that stained me
Hast washed and set me free,
And to this end ordained me
That I should live to Thee.
5. 'Twas sovereign mercy called me
And taught my opening mind;
The world had else enthralled me,
To heavenly glories blind;
My heart owns none above Thee;
For Thine own self I thirst;
This knowing, if I love Thee,
That Thou didst love me first.