Lyrics
Intro
Mwamba, Yesu Mwamba, acha nitangaze sifa zako!
Jesus,Rock ages; Let me declare Your praises!
Chorus
Kama si Mkono wako, ningekuwa wapi
If it had not been for your Mighty Hand,where would I be?
Verse 1
Nimesimama juu ya mwamba,juu ya mwamba
I am standing on the top of the Rock, Rock of Ages!
Umenitenga na dhoruba,umeniweka mahali pa juu
You have separated me from the storm,You have placed me at the top!
Verse 2
Nimesimama juu ya mwamba, palipo na nafasi
I am standing on the top of the Rock, where there is enough space.
Nimesimama juu ya mwamba,umeniweka mahali pa juu
I am standing on the top of the Rock, You have placed me at the top
Umenitenga na dhoruba,umeniweka mahali pa juu
You have separated me from the storm,You have placed me at the top
Umeniinua umeniweka mahali pa juu
You have lifted me up,You placed me at the top
Bridge
Kama si msalaba,Ningekuwa wap?
If it had not been for Your cross,where would I be?
Kama si rehema zako,ningekuwa wapi?
If it had not been for Your mercies,where would I be?
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
“Kama Si Mkono Wako” by Dr Ipyana is a Swahili praise song with an English line under each Swahili line. The title means “If not for Your hand,” and the song keeps asking where the singer would be without the Lord. It begins by calling Jesus the Rock and asking to declare His praises.
The verses say the singer is standing on the rock, that God has separated him from the storm and placed him on high ground, where there is room. The lyric then names two further reasons: if not for the cross, and if not for His mercies, where would he be? The song returns to the Rock of Ages, a familiar name for Christ.
The imagery is close to Psalm 40:2, Psalm 27:5 and Psalm 124:1-2, which speak of being set on a rock, being hidden from trouble and the Lord being on our side. The theme of the cross recalls Galatians 6:14. The song is thankful, confident and made for congregational praise.
Related Scripture
- Psalm 40:2 He set my feet upon a rock
- Psalm 124:1-2 If it had not been the Lord who was on our side
- Galatians 6:14 Boasting only in the cross