Lyrics
Verse 1
Mda wako ni huu Bwana
Shuka na nguvu, shuka
Watu wako tunangojea
Shuka na nguvu, Shuka
Tusirudi jinsi tulivyo Kuja
Mkono wako utende tutambue uko hapa
Alama za uwepo wako
Zionekane ijulikane ya kwamba
Eh Bwana uko na sisi
Chorus
Tenda oh oh oh tenda
Ujifunue hapa Yesu tenda
Sema oh oh oh sema
Utuongoze hapa Yesu sema
Outro
Tupe ushuhuda, tukupe jina mpya
Inayo fanana na jinsi umejifunua
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
“Tenda” by Patrick Kubuya is a Swahili prayer asking God to act in the gathering. The first verse says that the hour belongs to the Lord, and asks Him to come down with power while His people wait. It asks that they not leave as they came, that His hand move so they know He is present, and that signs of His presence be seen.
The chorus repeats the request in two parts: “Tenda,” meaning “act,” and “Sema,” meaning “speak.” The singers ask Jesus to reveal Himself, to guide them and to speak. The ending asks for a testimony, and for a new name that fits the way God has revealed Himself.
The prayer is close to Isaiah 64:1, Exodus 33:15 and Psalm 85:6, which ask God to come down, to go with His people and to revive them. The song is slow, expectant and made to be sung in a service while waiting on God.
Related Scripture
- Isaiah 64:1 Oh that You would come down
- Exodus 33:15 If Your presence does not go with us
- Psalm 85:6 Will You not revive us again