'Tis Not That I Did Choose Thee

'Tis not that I did choose Thee

Josiah Conder, 1789–1855

'Tis not that I did choose Thee,
For Lord that could not be;
This heart would still refuse Thee,
Had You not chosen me.

You from the sin that stained me,
Have cleansed and set me free,
Of old You have ordained me,
That I should live to Thee.

Twas sovereign mercy called me,
And taught my opening mind;
The world had else enthralled me,
To heavenly glories blind.

My heart owns none before Thee,
For Your rich grace I thirst;
This knowing, if I love Thee,
You must have loved me first!