Scripture Verse

Jesus Christ…loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood. Revelation 1:5

Introduction

portrait
Elisha Hoffman (1839–1929)

Words: Ar­ranged from Eli­sha A. Hoff­man; first known publication was in Songs of Gratitude, ed­it­ed by James H. Fill­more (Cin­cin­na­ti, Ohio: Fill­more Bro­thers, 1887), page 5. Note: This source gives the author as George A. Robertson, possibly a pseu­do­nym, or an error; later hymnals all credit Hoffman.

Music: Ed­win O. Ex­cell, Songs for Young Peo­ple (Cin­cin­na­ti, Ohio: Curts & Jen­nings, 1897), num­ber 74 (🔊 pdf nwc).

portrait
Edwin O. Excell (1851–1921)

Lyrics

Would you know why I love Je­sus?
Why He is so dear to me?
’Tis be­cause my bless­èd Sav­ior
From my sins hath set me free.

Refrain

This is why, yes, why I love Him,
This is why I love Him so;
He has par­doned my trans­gress­ions,
He has washed me white as snow.

Would you know why I love Je­sus?
Why He is so dear to me?
’Tis be­cause the blood of Je­sus
Fully saves and cleans­es me.

Refrain

Would you know why I love Je­sus?
Why He is so dear to me?
’Tis be­cause, amid temp­ta­tion,
He sup­ports and strength­ens me.

Refrain

Would you know why I love Je­sus?
Why He is so dear to me?
’Tis be­cause, in ev­ery con­flict,
Jesus gives me vic­to­ry.

Refrain

Would you know why I love Je­sus?
Why He is so dear to me?
’Tis be­cause my friend and Sav­ior
He will ev­er, ev­er be.

Refrain