Lyrics
Chorus (x4)
Siyavuma vuma sibonga amandhla ako
Siyavuma sithi uyingcwele
Response (x4)
Hallelujah halleluyah oooh
Siyavuma sithi uyingcwele
Verse
Siguqa phambi kwakho
Sibabaza ubukhulu bakho wena
Ngoba uyincwele
Siphakamisa izanthla zethu
Ngoba unganga mthembe amandhla ako wena
Ngoba uyincwele
Chorus (x2)
Siyavuma vuma sibonga amandhla ako
Siyavuma sithi uyingcwele
Response (x2)
Hallelujah halleluyah oooh
Siyavuma sithi uyingcwele
Bridge
Nkosi yami sibonga amandhla ako
Siyavuma sithi uyingcwele
Msindisi wami sibonga amandhla ako
Siyavuma sithi uyingcwele
Response (x4)
Hallelujah halleluyah oooh
Siyavuma sithi uyingcwele
Outro (x2)
Hallelujah halleluyah oooh
Siyavuma sithi uyingcwele
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
This Zulu-language worship song is built around a repeated confession of God's holiness. The refrain "Siyavuma sithi uyingcwele" is commonly understood as an acknowledgment that God is holy, and it returns after nearly every line, answered by a sung "Hallelujah" in call-and-response style.
The verse portion describes kneeling, honoring God's greatness and lifting hands, with the phrase "Ngoba uyincwele" offering holiness as the reason for each gesture. Later lines speak of the Lord and Savior with the words "Nkosi yami" and "Msindisi wami" while giving praise for his strength.
The structure of short repeated phrases is typical of choir worship, where a congregation can join quickly and sustain the praise. The theme of holiness and bowing before God resembles the worship scenes in Isaiah 6 and Psalm 95, though the song itself does not quote either passage.
Related Scripture
- Isaiah 6:3 Seraphim call out that the Lord of hosts is holy.
- Psalm 95:6 The psalm invites worshipers to bow down and kneel before the Lord their Maker.
- Psalm 134:2 The psalm calls worshipers to lift up their hands in the sanctuary and bless the Lord.