Lyrics
Verse (x2)
Viti havifai tena, wanainama mbele zako
Wanazivua taji zao, wanaziweka mbele zako
Hizo ni heshima zao, wanazileta mbele zako
Pre-Chorus
Wakisema
Chorus
Wastahili wastahili, wastahili Bwana
Wastahili wastahili, wastahili Bwana
Mtakatifu mtakatifu
Ndiwe Bwana wa majeshi
Heavens and nations are filled with Your glory
Na utukufu wako
Chorus (Repeat)
Wastahili wastahili, wastahili Bwana
Wastahili wastahili, wastahili Bwana
Outro
Wewe ni Mungu, wewe ni mfalme, unatawala (x3)
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
“Wastahili” by Paul Clement is a Swahili worship song whose title means “You are worthy.” The opening lines picture thrones that are no longer useful because those who sat on them bow, take off their crowns and lay them down as their honor. The refrain then answers, “Wastahili, wastahili Bwana.”
The next section sings “Mtakatifu, mtakatifu, ndiwe Bwana wa majeshi,” meaning holy, holy, You are the Lord of hosts, and an English line says that heavens and nations are filled with His glory. The ending declares that He is God, King and the One who reigns, and the line is repeated.
The scene is close to Revelation 4:10-11, Isaiah 6:3 and Revelation 19:6, where elders cast down their crowns, the seraphim call holy and the Lord God reigns. The song is simple and repeated, so a congregation can join the declaration quickly.
Related Scripture
- Revelation 4:10-11 Elders cast their crowns before the throne: You are worthy
- Isaiah 6:3 Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts
- Revelation 19:6 The Lord our God the Almighty reigns