Lyrics
Verse 1
Oh Baba nakuja mbele
Oh baba nikumbuke
Oh Baba nimeleta Mambo yangu kwako
Oh Baba nisikilize
Chorus
Usikumbuke Uovu Wangu mimi
Rehema zako nazihitaji
Nimekutenda uovu nyingi mimi
Nisamehe Baba usikumbuke
Verse 2
Mwana wa Mungu nakuja kwako
Nimesikia habari zako
Unasamehe unatakasa maovu yote Baba
Kwa damu yako Baba nisafishe
Chorus (Repeat)
Usikumbuke Uovu Wangu mimi
Rehema zako nazihitaji
Nimekutenda uovu nyingi mimi
Nisamehe Baba usikumbuke
Verse 3
Huruma zako zinaniita mimi
Nimesikia mguso wako
Mkono wako Baba wenye uwezo mwingi
Uniongoze Baba kwa nuru yako
Chorus (Repeat)
Usikumbuke Uovu Wangu mimi
Rehema zako nazihitaji
Nimekutenda uovu mwingi mimi
Nisamehe Baba usikumbuke
Verse 4
Roho wa Mungu chukua leo mimi
Maisha yangu uyatawale
Umefunua uovu wangu mimi
Na mimi leo Baba nibadilishe
Chorus (Repeat)
Usikumbuke Uovu Wangu mimi
Rehema zako nazihitaji
Nimekutenda uovu mwingi mimi
Nisamehe Baba usikumbuke
Verse 5
Machozi yangu Baba yafute leo
Furaha yangu itimilike
Nisaidie mimi kuendelea mbele
Kusudi lako kwangu litimilike
Chorus (Repeat)
Usikumbuke Uovu Wangu mimi
Rehema zako nazihitaji
Nimekutenda uovu mwingi mimi
Nisamehe Baba usikumbuke
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
“Usikumbuke” by Jane Misso is a Swahili prayer of repentance. The title means “do not remember,” and the refrain pleads that God not remember the singer’s sin: “Usikumbuke uovu wangu mimi, rehema zako nazihitaji.” The singer says that mercy is needed and asks forgiveness as a child coming before the Father.
Each verse adds a petition. The singer asks to be cleansed by the blood, to be guided by God’s light, to have the Holy Spirit take charge of his life, and to have tears wiped away and joy made complete. The hope that sins would not be remembered is close to Psalm 25:7 and Isaiah 43:25, and the plea for cleansing by blood recalls 1 John 1:7.
The repeated refrain keeps the focus on mercy, and the later verses move from confession to a hope that God’s purpose will be fulfilled. The song is simple and humble.
Related Scripture
- Psalm 25:7 Do not remember the sins of my youth; remember me in your mercy
- Isaiah 43:25 God blots out transgressions and remembers sins no more
- 1 John 1:7 The blood of Jesus cleanses from all sin