IBA Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
"IBA," a song by Nathaniel Bassey featuring Dunsin Oyekan and Dasola Akinbule, released on September 8, 2023, serves as a profound expression of worship and adoration. The collaboration brings together prominent voices in contemporary gospel music, known for their focus on spiritual depth and powerful anthems. The song's background lies within the context of declaring God's supremacy and responding to His nature with deep reverence.
The central theme revolves around the recurring declaration "IBA ooh IBA," a phrase that conveys homage, respect, and deep reverence, particularly in a cultural context where acknowledging greatness is done through specific expressions of honor. The lyrics explicitly state the worshipper's struggle to find adequate words to describe God's grandeur ("my words are not enough," "My vocabularies will fail Me"). This inability to fully articulate God's perfections leads to an overflowing response of worship and declaration, signifying that mere vocabulary is insufficient, and a deeper, heartfelt expression is necessary.
The song paints a vivid picture of God through numerous descriptors and names. It references His identity through titles like "son of David" and "root of Jesse," connecting to messianic prophecies. Further attributes include "rock of ages," "King of Heaven," "eminently glorious," "immaculately beautiful," "infinitely powerful," and "magnificently wonderful." The lyrics also highlight His control over creation, noting how He "tell the wind how hard to blow" and "tell the rain how much to fall," even laying the path for lightning. Describing God as "cloth with Jasmine Splendor" and "wrapped in blistering Light" emphasizes His radiant glory and awe-inspiring presence. The mention of divine names such as "Yahweh," "Elshaddai," "Adonai," "Elgibor," and "Elohim" grounds the worship in biblical appellations for the Almighty, acknowledging His various facets as Lord, Almighty God, Master, Mighty God, and Creator God.
The lyrical content draws heavily from scriptural understanding of God's nature and titles. The references to "Son of David" and "Root of Jesse" align with New Testament acknowledgments of Jesus Christ (e.g., Revelation 5:5, Isaiah 11:1, 10). Calling God the "Rock of Ages" is found in passages affirming His eternal and unchanging nature (e.g., Isaiah 26:4). Descriptions of God's glory, power, and wisdom are prevalent throughout the Psalms, Job, Isaiah, and Jeremiah (e.g., Psalm 145:3, Jeremiah 32:19, Job 28:25-26). The incorporation of specific Hebrew names for God directly reflects their usage and significance in the Old Testament, underscoring His diverse attributes and roles as revealed in scripture. The song effectively translates biblical truth into a contemporary worship expression.
![IBA Lyrics - Nathaniel Bassey]()
