February 19, 2005

Why Should He Love Me So?

Words and Music by Robert Harkness, 1880-1961

    As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, ¹⁵that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:14-17.

    After attending a revival meeting by Ruben Archer Torrey and Charles M. Alexander, Harkness became Alexander’s pianist. He came to Christ shortly thereafter, "on a bicycle,” he said, and made several round the world tours with Torrey and Alexander. Harkness was especially well known for his program The Music of the Cross, and as the author of correspondence courses in hymn playing. He wrote over 2,000 hymns and Gospel songs in his lifetime.

Love sent my Savior to die in my stead;
Why should He love me so?
Meekly to Calvary's cross He was led;
Why should He love me so?

Nails pierced His hands and His feet for my sin;
Why should He love me so?
He suffered sore my salvation to win;
Why should He love me so?

O how He agonized there in my place;
Why should He love me so?
Nothing withholding my sin to efface;
Why should He love me so?

Chorus:
Why should He love me so?
Why should He love me so?
Why should my Savior to Calvary go?
Why should He love me so?