Lyrics
Verse 1
Uwepo wako uko mahali hapa
Na nguvu zako Yesu
Ziko mahali hapa
Unijaze nguvu zako ooh nakuabudu
Chorus
Uko hapa, uko hapa
Twatukuza jina lako
Twakuabudu uko hapa
Uko hapa, uko hapa
Twatukuza jina lako
Twakuabudu uko hapa
Bridge
Twakuinua twakuinua
Twatukuza jina lako
Twakuinua uko hapa
Twakupenda twakupenda
Twatukuza jina lako
Twakupenda uko hapa
Interlude
Oooh oooh ooooh
Oooh oooh oooooh
Verse 2
Uko hapa uko hapa Mungu
Tunaouona uwepo wako
Uko hapa kubadilisha
Uko hapa kuponya
Uko hapa kutenda mambo makuu
Ewe Bwana uko hapa
Chorus
Uko hapa, uko hapa
Twatukuza jina lako
Twakuabudu uko hapa
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
Uko Hapa is a Swahili worship song that celebrates the presence of God among His people. The opening says His presence and His power are in this place, and asks Him to fill the singer with power. The chorus repeats "Uko hapa," meaning "You are here," together with lines that glorify His name and worship Him because He is present.
The bridge adds the promise to lift Him up and to love Him, and the second verse says that He is here to change, to heal and to do great things, calling Him Lord, whose presence is seen. The themes follow Psalm 139:7-8 on God being present everywhere, Matthew 18:20 on His presence where believers gather, and Psalm 16:11 on fullness of joy in His presence. The very simple, repeated words make the song easy for any congregation to learn, with a joyful, expectant tone that works well as an opening song of worship.
Related Scripture
- Psalm 139:7-8 The psalmist finds God present in heaven, in the depths and everywhere between.
- Matthew 18:20 Jesus is present where two or three gather in His name.
- Psalm 16:11 In God's presence is fullness of joy.