Lyrics
Baba yetu aliye mbinguni, amenifurahisha yakini,
kuniambia mwake chuoni, ya kuwa nami Yesu pendoni.
Anipenda Mwokozi Yesu, anipenda, anipenda;
Anipenda Mwokozi Yesu, anipenda mimi.
Nimuachapo kutanga mbali, yeye yu vivyo, hupenda kweli,
hunirejeza kwake moyoni; kweli yu nami Yesu pendoni.
Anipenda! Nami nampenda; kwa wokovu alionitenda;
akanifia Msalabani, kwa kuwa nami Yesu pendoni.
Haya kujua yanipa raha; kumuamini kuna furaha;
Humfukuza mara shetani, kwona yu nami Yesu Pendoni.
Sifa ni nyingi asifiwazo, moja ni sana katika hizo,
wala siachi, hata Mbinguni, kwimba, "Yu nami Yesu pendoni".
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Meaning & Inspiration
This Swahili hymn celebrates the assurance of being loved by Jesus. Each stanza develops that assurance from a different angle: Scripture declares his love, wandering does not cancel his welcome, and the cross reveals the cost of salvation. The recurring line, “Anipenda Mwokozi Yesu,” gives the song a simple anchor, returning every reflection to the Savior’s personal care.
The later verses connect that love with joy, faith, resistance to temptation, and lasting praise. The singer answers Christ’s love with love and gratitude, especially for redemption accomplished at the cross. Its opening address to the Father in heaven and its confidence in the written word place personal testimony within Christian teaching. The song closely echoes the New Testament theme that Christ’s self-giving love is demonstrated in his death. It therefore functions both as confession and instruction: Jesus loves, saves, restores the wanderer, and remains the source of joy from the present life into heaven.
Related Scripture
- John 3:16 The verse connects the love of God with salvation through his Son.
- Romans 5:8 Christ dying for sinners demonstrates divine love, as the hymn proclaims.