Lyrics
Verse 1
Nilijua utafanya ila sikujua ni kwa namna hii
Baba nilijua utatenda ila sikujua ni kwa namna hii
Umenishangaza umenishangaza maana sikujua ni kwa namna hii
Umenishangaza umenishangaza maana sikujua ni kwa namna hii
Verse 2
Nilijua utafanya ila sikujua ni kwa namna hii
nilijua utatenda ila sikujua ni kwa namna hii
Nilijua utafanya ila sikujua ni kwa namna hii
Baba nilijua utatenda ila sikujua ni kwa namna hii
umenishangaza umenishangaza maana sikujua ni kwa namna hii
Umenishangaza umenishangaza maana sikujua ni kwa namna hii
Umenishangaza umenishangaza maana sikujua ni kwa namna hii
Umenishangaza umenishangaza maana sikujua ni kwa namna hii
Bridge
Nilijua utaniponya ila sikujua ni haraka hivi
baba nilijua utanifanikisha siku moja ila sikujua ni kwa namna hii
mimi nilijua utanipa kazi ila sikujua ni ya cheo hiki
Baba nilijua umenipa huduma ila sikujua ni kubwa hii
hakika nilijua utanifaulisha mtihani ila sikujua kwa kiwango hiki
Outro (x6)
Umenishangaza umenishangaza maana
Sikujua ni kwa namna hii
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
“Umenishangaza,” which means “You have amazed me,” is a Swahili song of gratitude by Joel Lwaga built on one repeated confession: “Nilijua utafanya ila sikujua ni kwa namna hii” (I knew You would do it, but I did not know it would be in this way). The first verses repeat the line until it becomes the main message, with “Baba” (Father) addressing God directly.
The middle section gives concrete examples. The singer expected healing but not so quickly, expected work but not at this level, expected a ministry but not one this large, and expected to pass an exam but not by this measure. Each example shows God doing more than was asked or imagined.
The refrain closes the song by repeating “Umenishangaza… sikujua ni kwa namna hii.” The theme is close to Ephesians 3:20, which speaks of God doing more than we ask or think, and to Isaiah 55:8-9 on His ways being higher. Psalm 126:3 adds the thought of joy over what the Lord has done.
Related Scripture
- Ephesians 3:20 Able to do more than we ask or think
- Isaiah 55:8-9 His ways are higher than our ways
- Psalm 126:3 The Lord has done great things for us