Lyrics
Chorus (x4)
Hata sasa wewe ni Ebeneza
Tulipofika wewe ni Ebeneza
Hata sasa wewe ni Ebeneza
Ebeneza, Ebeneza
Verse 1
Sihitaji hatua tano ndipo niseme
Hatua ni moja nasema ni wewe
Si kwa ujanja wangu, si kwa ujuzi wangu
Ni kwa nguvu zako nimefika hapa
Verse 2
Kwa makubwa ni wewe
Kwa madogo ni wewe
Si kwa ujanja wangu, si kwa ujuzi wangu
Ni kwa nguvu zako nimefika hapa
Chorus (x2)
Hata sasa wewe ni Ebeneza
Tulipofika wewe ni Ebeneza
Hata sasa wewe ni Ebeneza
Ebeneza, Ebeneza
Verse 2 (x2)
Kwa makubwa ni wewe
Kwa madogo ni wewe
Si kwa ujanja wangu, si kwa ujuzi wangu
Ni kwa nguvu zako nimefika hapa
Chorus (Repeat) (x2)
Hata sasa wewe ni Ebeneza
Tulipofika wewe ni Ebeneza
Hata sasa wewe ni Ebeneza
Ebeneza, Ebeneza
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
“Ebeneza” by Paul Clement is a Swahili song that takes its name from the stone Samuel set up in 1 Samuel 7:12 with the words “Hitherto hath the LORD helped us.” The chorus repeats “Hata sasa wewe ni Ebeneza,” meaning “even until now, You are Ebenezer,” and “Tulipofika wewe ni Ebeneza,” “where we have arrived, You are Ebenezer.”
The verses explain why. The singer says there is no need for five steps to say it, because the answer is one: it is God. “Si kwa ujanja wangu, si kwa ujuzi wangu, ni kwa nguvu zako nimefika hapa” means “not by my cleverness or my skill, but by Your strength I have come this far.” The next lines give God the credit in both great things and small things, “kwa makubwa… kwa madogo.”
The wording is close to Zechariah 4:6, “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit,” and to Psalm 121:2. The song is a repeated marker of gratitude, looking back at help received and crediting it to God.
Related Scripture
- 1 Samuel 7:12 Samuel’s Ebenezer stone: “Hitherto hath the LORD helped us”
- Zechariah 4:6 Not by might nor by power, but by the Spirit
- Psalm 121:2 Help that comes from the LORD