Lyrics
Intro (x2)
Ni neema, ni neema, ni neema
Imeniweka hapa
Chorus
Sikustahili Sikustahili Sikustahili Sikustahili
Ni neema, ni neema, ni neema
Imeniweka hapa
Verse 1
Mimi jinsi nilivyo
Kila nilichonacho
Ni neema, imenipa hayo
Uhai uzima, wokovu kibali vyote
Ni neema imenipa hivi
Kuna mtu alikufa msalabani
Kwa ajili yangu
Amelipa madeni yote niliyodaiwa
Chorus
Ni neema, ni neema, ni neema
Yake Yesu
Sikustahili Sikustahili Sikustahili Sikustahili
Ni neema, ni neema, ni neema
Yake Yesu
Sikustahili Sikustahili Sikustahili Sikustahili
Ni neema, ni neema, ni neema
Imeniweka hapa
Sikustahili Sikustahili Sikustahili Sikustahili
Ni neema, ni neema, ni neema
Imeniweka hapa
Sikustahili Sikustahili Sikustahili Sikustahili
Ni neema, ni neema, ni neema
Imeniweka hapa
Bridge
Asante Yesu, asante Yesu, asante yesu, asante Yesu
Chorus
Sikustahili Sikustahili Sikustahili Sikustahili
Ni neema, ni neema, ni neema
Yake Yesu
Sikustahili Sikustahili Sikustahili Sikustahili
Ni neema, ni neema, ni neema
Yake Yesu
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
“Ni Neema” by Joel Lwaga is a Swahili song that answers one question about the singer’s present life with one word: grace. The refrain “Ni neema, ni neema, ni neema, imeniweka hapa” means “it is grace, it is grace, it has placed me here,” and it is paired with the repeated confession “Sikustahili,” meaning “I did not deserve it.”
The verse lists what grace has given: life, health, salvation, and favor. It then gives the reason in plain terms: someone died on the cross for the singer and paid every debt that was owed. That thought is close to Ephesians 2:8-9, which says salvation is by grace and not of works, and to Colossians 2:14 on the debt being cancelled.
The song returns again and again to “ni neema yake Yesu” (it is the grace of Jesus), then breaks into thanks with “Asante Yesu.” The repeated phrases keep the focus on gratitude rather than on personal achievement.
Related Scripture
- Ephesians 2:8-9 Saved by grace through faith, not of works
- Colossians 2:14 The record of debt nailed to the cross
- 1 Corinthians 15:10 “By the grace of God I am what I am”