Lyrics
Ombi Langu (Swahili)
Ombi langu, Bwana Wangu , Peke Yangu Sitaweza
Uwepo Wako Bwana,Uwe Nami
(x2)
Ombi langu, Bwana Wangu , Peke Yangu Sitaweza
Uwepo Wako Bwana, Uwe Nami
Ombi langu, Bwana Wangu , Peke Yangu Sitaweza
Uwepo Wako Bwana,Uwe Nami
(x4)
Uwepo Wako Bwana,Uwe Nami
(x6)
Uwepo Wako Bwana,Uwe Nami
(x6)
Ombi langu, Bwana Wangu , Peke Yangu Sitaweza
Uwepo Wako Bwana,Uwe Nami
(x4)
Uwepo Wako Bwana,Uwe Nami
(x6)
Uwepo Wako Bwana,Uwe Nami
(x6)
One Desire (English)
one desire, Lord Almighty, on my own, I cannot stand
Your holy presence Lord, be with me
(x3)
one desire, Lord Almighty, on my own, I cannot stand
Your holy presence Lord, be with me
(x3)
Your holy presence, Lord, be with me
(x6)
Thandez' Lami (Zulu)
Thandaz’ lami, Nkosi yami, Ngedwa ngeke ngikwazi
Ubukhona bakho Nkosi, Hlala nami
(x3)
Thandaz’ lami, Nkosi yami, Ngedwa ngeke ngikwazi
Ubukhona bakho Nkosi, Hlala nami
(x4)
Ubukhona bakho Nkosi, Hlala nami
(x6)
Credits & Song Information
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
“Ombi Langu” is a worship medley that sings one short prayer in three languages: Swahili, English, and Zulu. Each section carries the same words in a different tongue: a single desire, the admission “on my own, I cannot stand,” and the plea that God’s holy presence would stay close. The Swahili “Uwepo Wako Bwana, uwe nami” and the Zulu “Ubukhona bakho Nkosi, Hlala nami” both ask the Lord to be with the singer.
The repetition is central. Long runs of the closing line, marked to be sung many times in each language, turn the prayer into something closer to a quiet chant than a narrative, and the lyric gives no story beyond the request itself. The dependence it voices is simple and complete: strength is not claimed, only presence is asked for.
That posture recalls Moses’ words in Exodus 33:15, “If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence,” and Jesus’ saying in John 15:5, “without me ye can do nothing.” The song does not quote either verse, but it shares their conviction that life with God begins with His nearness rather than the singer’s own ability.
Related Scripture
- Exodus 33:15 Moses pleads for God’s presence to go with His people
- John 15:5 Apart from Christ, nothing can be done — the song’s “on my own, I cannot”