Solly Mahlangu - Praise Him in an African Way Lyrics
Lyrics
When Jesus came down; He came down from Heaven When He landed; He landed in Israel But when there was trouble; He came down to Africa So we must praise Him; Praise Him in an African way
There was a King whose name was Herod He wanted to kill all the children But then Jesus came down; He came down to Africa So we must praise Him; Praise Him in an African way
None one could touch Him, ’cause He is the Son
of God
No one could kill Him, ’cause He is the King of
Kings
His name is Jesus, Jesus the Savior
So we must praise Him; Praise Him in an African
way
(Repeat)
Arise Africa arise!…
Video
Praise Him in an African Way - Solly Mahlangu
Meaning & Inspiration
Solly Mahlangu captures a distinctly regional expression of faith in his work that focuses on the historical protection of Christ. By grounding the narrative in the biblical account of Herod seeking the life of the infant Savior, the song leans into the historical reality found in Matthew 2:13-14. When the angel instructed Joseph to flee to Egypt, the Holy Family sought refuge on the African continent, an often-overlooked detail that shapes how believers across the continent view their own identity in relation to the mission of God. It shifts the gaze from a strictly Western lens to one that honors the soil where the young Jesus was kept safe from the wrath of a tyrant.
The theology here is rooted in the sovereign protection of God. When the lyrics declare that no one could kill Him because He is the King of Kings, they affirm the invincible nature of the divine plan. Just as the psalmist declares in Psalm 91:11 that He will command His angels to guard the faithful, the song posits that the very geography of Africa became a sanctuary for the Son of God. Praising Him in an African way is not merely about a rhythmic style or cultural flair; it is a recognition that our specific histories are woven into the broader narrative of redemption. It honors the idea that God met humanity in our most vulnerable moments, even when those moments occur in the middle of a flight for survival.
This music invites us to see our heritage not as an afterthought but as a place where the Creator has walked. It echoes the sentiment that every tribe and tongue has a unique contribution to the chorus of worship, moving beyond homogenized traditions to celebrate the specific grace found in our own homes. When we recognize that Jesus lived as a refugee on African soil, it changes how we view the dignity of our own lives. If Africa was good enough to harbor the Savior when the world turned against Him, then we have every reason to lift our hands and voices with a confidence that spans borders and cultures. Worship belongs to every corner of the earth, and the King is waiting for us to offer Him the best of our own spirit and culture, right where we stand.