Lyrics
Verse 1
Eh Bwana, fadhili zako zinifikie [Oh Lord, let Your grace reach me]
Nielewe kanuni zako nifuate [Let me understand Your statutes so I may follow]
Wewe Eh Bwana, sema Eh Bwana, fadhili zangu zifikie [You, oh Lord—speak, oh Lord—let Your favor reach me]
Nielewe, nielewe kanuni zako nifuate [Let me understand, let me understand Your statutes so I may follow]
Chorus
Hatua zako ziwe zangu [Let Your steps be mine]
Njia zako ziwe zangu [Let Your ways be mine]
Neno lako liwe langu [Let Your word be mine]
Hatua zako ziwe zangu [Let Your steps be mine]
Njia zako ziwe zangu [Let Your ways be mine]
Neno lako liwe langu [Let Your word be mine]
Verse 2
Ningependa Baba, ningependa njia zangu [I desire, Father, I desire my ways]
Nizitii amri zako nifuate [Let me obey Your commands and follow You]
Wewe Baba, ningependa, ningependa njia zangu [You, Father, I desire, I desire my ways]
Nizitii amri zako nifuate [Let me obey Your commands and follow You]
Bridge
Hatua zako ziwe zangu [Let Your steps be mine]
Njia zako ziwe zangu [Let Your ways be mine]
Neno lako liwe langu [Let Your word be mine]
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
“Hatua” by Dr. Sarah K is a Swahili prayer to walk in God’s ways, and the title means “steps.” The first verse asks the Lord to let His grace reach the singer and to give understanding of His statutes in order to follow them. The lyric gives English glosses in brackets after each line.
The chorus is the central request: “Hatua zako ziwe zangu, njia zako ziwe zangu, neno lako liwe langu,” meaning let Your steps be mine, let Your ways be mine, let Your word be mine. The second verse says the singer wants to obey the commands and follow. The closing section repeats the chorus with congregational worship.
The themes are close to Psalm 119:33-35, Psalm 25:4 and 1 Peter 2:21, on asking to be taught the Lord’s statutes, being shown His ways and following the steps of Christ.
Related Scripture
- Psalm 119:33-35 Teach me the way of Your statutes
- Psalm 25:4 Make me to know Your ways, O Lord
- 1 Peter 2:21 Follow in His steps