I Love Him (Because He First Loved Me)

“I Love Him (Because He First Loved Me)” is a tender devotional hymn that first appeared in The London Hymn Book during the late nineteenth century. Though its author remains anonymous, the hymn has remained beloved among believers for its simplicity, emotional warmth, and heartfelt testimony of personal devotion to Christ.

The hymn opens with the line, “Gone from my heart the world and all its charms,” expressing a decisive renunciation of worldly attraction and a wholehearted turning toward Jesus. This sentiment echoes the words of the Apostle Paul in Galatians 6:14, where he declares that the world is crucified to him through the cross of Christ. The singer’s heart is no longer drawn to earthly pleasures because divine love has captured it completely.

The refrain, “I love Him, because He first loved me, and purchased my salvation on Calv’ry’s tree,” beautifully summarizes the theology of grace that defines Christian love. It recognizes that love for God does not originate from human effort but from His initiating mercy. The cross is presented as both the reason and the proof of that love, grounding the believer’s affection in the redemptive act of Christ’s sacrifice.

This hymn’s message resonates deeply with personal experience. It describes a life transformed by the realization of Christ’s redeeming love, a love that cleanses, restores, and fills the heart with gratitude. The tone throughout is intimate and worshipful, a quiet confession of one who has been rescued from sin and now delights in communion with the Savior.

Musically, the hymn is gentle and contemplative, often sung in slow, meditative tempo, allowing the words to penetrate the soul. Its repetition of “I love Him” turns each verse into a personal declaration of faith and devotion, making it suitable for both corporate worship and private reflection.

“I Love Him (Because He First Loved Me)” continues to be cherished in hymnals and songbooks across generations because it captures the essence of Christian affection. It is not grand or complex, but sincere and profound. The song invites every believer to consider how Christ’s sacrificial love calls forth a response of pure and simple devotion. Through its timeless message, this hymn reminds us that genuine love for Jesus flows naturally from the wonder of His first loving us.