Lyrics
Verse 1
Upendo wake ni hakika na kweli
Akipenda hawezi kuacha
Upendo wake ni hakika na kweli
Akipenda hawezi kubwaga
Kipi cha kututenga na Yesu
Akipenda hawezi kuacha
Sio njaa sio shida wala dhiki
Akipenda hawezi kuacha
Chorus
Sijabahatisha kukutana na Baba
Anayenipenda huyo ni Mungu
Verse 2
Kabla sijampenda yeye alinipenda
Kabla sijazaliwa tayari alinijua
Nilipokuwa gizani yeye alinifia
Nilipokuwa mpotevu kwa upendo alinisaka
Uaminifu wake ni wa milele
Maana agano lake ladumu milele
Ukarimu wake ni wa milele
Na fadhili zake za dumu milele
Bridge
Anaye ponya niye, Anaye okoa niye
Anaye huisha nasfsi yangu niye
Anaye inua niye, Anayetosha niye
Anaye ituliza dhoruba niye
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
This Swahili song praises the steady love of God and the singer's sense of having been found by Him on purpose. The opening lines say His love is certain and true, and that when He loves He cannot leave. A question about what could separate the singer from Jesus is answered by naming hunger, trouble and distress, which closely follows the list of hardships in Romans 8.
The chorus declares "Sijabahatisha kukutana na Baba," meaning the meeting with the Father was no accident. The second verse says God loved the singer before the singer loved Him, that He died for the singer while still in darkness, and that His faithfulness and covenant last forever. The bridge lists what He does: He heals, saves, restores the soul, lifts up and calms the storm. Together the verses give a clear testimony of grace, with the refrain about love that does not let go returning throughout.
Related Scripture
- Romans 8:35-39 Paul asks what can separate believers from Christ's love, naming distress, famine and hardship.
- 1 John 4:19 The text says believers love because God first loved them.
- Psalm 136:1 The psalm repeats that God's steadfast love endures forever.