Joyous Celebration + Eric Moyo - Atawale - Let Him Reign Lyrics

Lyrics

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want
He makes to lie down in green pastures
He leadeth me, besides still water
My soul overflows
And though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
I will fear no evil
For You are with me (You are with me) .

– in Swahili
Atawale x2 mwachie Yesu, atawale
(Let him reign, let Jesus come and reign)
Atawale x2 mwambie Yesu, atawale
(Let him reign, tell Jesus come and reign)
(Repeat) .

Come and rain Lord, come and reign
For the Glory is Yours, come and reign (Repeat) .

– in Lingala
Akumama, Yesu akumama eh
Na bomoyi nanga, akumama
(Repeat) .

– in Swahili
Wa milele wa milele (Forever and ever)
Mungu wa baraka ni Yesu, Yahweh
(God of blessings is Jesus, Yahweh)
Wa milele wa milele (Forever and ever)
Mungu wa baraka ni Yesu, we
(God of blessings is Jesus)
(Repeat) .

Yesu wa baraka, ni Yesu
(Jesus of blessings, it’s Jesus)
Wa baraka, ni Yesu, ni Yesu x?
(Of Blessings, it’s Jesus, it’s Jesus) .

– in Lingala
Nako tika te, Yesu apona nga banda bo muana (I will not give up because Jesus has chosen me since my childhood)
(Repeat) .

Yesu wabonanga (Ni Yesu)
Wabonanga (ni Yesu) (Repeat) .

Anasumbukia maisha yetu, we (He cares for our lives)
Ni Yesu Ye (It is Jesus)
Wa milele wa milele (Forever and ever)
Mungu wa baraka ni Yesu, we
(God of blessings is Jesus)
(Repeat) .

Yesu wa baraka, ni Yesu
(Jesus of blessings, it’s Jesus)
Wa baraka, ni Yesu, ni Yesu x?
(Of Blessings, it’s Jesus, it’s Jesus) .

Response: Aah ni Yesu, weh (Ah it’s Jesus)x?
Jesus You are my provider/my healer .

Video

Atawale (Live at the Sandton Convention Centre - Johannesburg, 2018)

Meaning & Inspiration

The song "Atawale - Let Him Reign" by Joyous Celebration featuring Eric Moyo, a powerful anthem of divine sovereignty, was released on September 4, 2020, capturing the electrifying live performance from the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg in 2018. This track immediately immerses one in a profound spiritual journey, emphasizing unwavering faith and surrender to God’s ultimate authority. It's a testament to Joyous Celebration's masterful ability to blend diverse languages and musical expressions into a cohesive worship experience, all while delivering a message deeply rooted in biblical truth.

The lyrical core of "Atawale" unfolds as a multi-layered declaration of faith, beginning with the comforting assurances of Psalm 23:1-4. The opening lines, "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want; He makes to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me, besides still water; My soul overflows; And though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death; I will fear no evil; For You are with me," immediately establish a foundation of divine provision, guidance, and protection. This passage eloquently reminds us of God's omnipresent care, assuring believers that even in life's darkest moments, His presence dispels all fear. It sets the stage for a surrender of control, recognizing that true peace comes from acknowledging God as our shepherd.

Following this bedrock of assurance, the song transitions into its powerful Swahili refrain, "Atawale," meaning "Let Him reign." This repeated plea, "Let Jesus come and reign," is more than a simple request; it is a fervent invitation for Christ to take absolute control over every aspect of life. This echoes the prayer found in Matthew 6:10, "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven," signifying a desire for God's divine order to manifest in personal realities. The subsequent English declaration, "Come and reign Lord, come and reign, For the Glory is Yours," further solidifies this understanding, acknowledging that all dominion and praise rightly belong to God, as articulated in Revelation 4:11 where heavenly beings declare, "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being."

The song then gracefully weaves in Lingala, with the poignant lines "Akumama, Yesu akumama eh, Na bomoyi nanga, akumama," translating to "Let Him be praised, Jesus be praised, In my life, let Him be praised." This moves the message from general supplication to deeply personal worship, a commitment to glorify God in one's very existence, reflecting the sentiment of 1 Corinthians 10:31, "Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." This declaration is beautifully intertwined with the Swahili affirmation of Jesus as the "God of blessings, forever and ever," emphasizing His eternal nature and role as the ultimate source of all good things, a truth consistently affirmed in Scripture, such as in James 1:17, which states, "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights."

Perhaps one of the most moving declarations in the song arrives with the Lingala phrase, "Nako tika te, Yesu apona nga banda bo muana," which proclaims, "I will not give up because Jesus has chosen me since my childhood." This powerful statement speaks to God's divine election and unchanging faithfulness, drawing parallels to verses like Jeremiah 1:5, where God declares, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart." It’s a testament to the enduring covenant between God and His people, a reminder that His call is steadfast and His purposes for us are established long before we recognize them. The song culminates in a heartfelt acknowledgment of Jesus as the one who "cares for our lives," reinforcing the comforting promise found in 1 Peter 5:7 to "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." The repeated affirmation of "Jesus You are my provider/my healer" encapsulates the all-encompassing nature of God's grace, drawing from Philippians 4:19 for provision ("My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus") and Isaiah 53:5 for healing ("by his wounds we are healed"). "Atawale" is not merely a song; it's a profound spiritual liturgy, inviting believers to embrace God's reign and find solace, purpose, and blessing in His sovereign care.