When I was young and careless and blessed with daily good,
He told me that he loved me, and I told him that he should!
Dissatisfied with daily gifts, I daily did implore,
If you really cared for me, you’d ought to give me more!
Then he loved me. Yes, he loved me! I can see it now.
In spite of my ungrateful heart, he loved me anyhow.
In spite of all, he loved me.
How rash was I and thoughtless, and filled with foolish pride!
I despised his kindness, all discretion cast aside,
So I gathered up his tender gifts – his limits I would leave –
I took my journey far away; so what if he should grieve!
Then he loved me. Yes, he loved me! I can see it now.
In spite of my so foolish choice he loved me anyhow.
In spite of all, he loved me.
I lived with sheer abandon, as one who had no shame.
I yielded to unchecked desires and played the devil’s game.
My plenty I soon wasted all, my fickle friends all fled.
My folly came to mock me then; I had not a crust of bread!
Then he loved me. Yes, he loved me! I can see it now.
In spite of how far down I came, he loved me anyhow!
In spite of all, he loved me.
I thought then of my father, and the good I’d had before.
I thought of all his servants, who had bread enough, and more.
And I thought of how I’d wandered, and I’d soiled my father’s name
And I longed to be restored to him in spite of all my shame.
Then he loved me. Yes, he loved me! I can see it now.
In spite of my depravity he loved me anyhow.
In spite of all, he loved me!
I arose and took my journey back toward father and toward home.
I will tell him, “I have sinned and I’m not fit to be your son.”
But before I came, he saw me, and as I came, he ran,
And he embraced and kissed me, and rejoiced, “My son is come!”
And he loved me! Yes, he loved me! I can see it now!
In spite of my unworthiness, he loved me anyhow!
In spite of all, he loved me!
Then I looked up to heaven, and I looked up to God,
And I looked up to see the One Who watched the way I’d trod…
And I looked up into the eyes that saw all I had done –
The One Who bore the blame for me, to welcome me back home
For He loves me! Yes, He loves me, I can see it now!
In spite of my rebellious ways, He loves me anyhow.
In spite of all, He loves me!
– Penned by Steven Lamb