Lyrics
Chorus - isiXhosa
Kubobonke oThixo
Akekho onjengawe
Kuba iinceba zakhe
Zimi ngunaphakade
Chorus - English Translation
Amongst all other gods,
There is none like You.
For His love and mercies
Endure forever.
Bridge - isiZulu
Uyinkosi yezulu
Uphakeme kakhulu
Ngizolibonga nkosi yami
Elakho igama
Bridge - English Translation
You are the Lord of heaven,
You are highly exalted.
I will praise, my Lord,
Your name.
Outro - isiZulu
Awu, linandi, lingcwele
Enhliziyweni, awu, lingcwele
Ngizolibonga igama
Elakho igama
Outro - English Translation
Oh, how sweet, how holy,
In my heart, oh, it is holy.
I will praise the name,
Your name.
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
“Kubobonke Othixo” by Benjamin Dube, featuring Hlengiwe Mhlaba, is a worship song sung in isiXhosa and isiZulu, with English translations written beside each part. The chorus says that among all other gods there is none like God, because His love and mercies endure forever. The Xhosa words say the same thing in a single breath.
The bridge turns to praise in isiZulu, calling Him Lord of heaven and highly exalted, and promising to praise His name. The ending describes the name as sweet and holy, held in the heart, and says the singer will keep praising it.
The lines are close to Psalm 136:1, where mercy endures forever, to Exodus 15:11 on there being none like the Lord, and to Psalm 148:13 on His name being exalted. The song is short, devotional and built on repetition, which suits a gathered congregation singing in more than one language.
Related Scripture
- Psalm 136:1 His mercy endures forever
- Exodus 15:11 Who is like You among the gods
- Psalm 148:13 His name alone is exalted