Sometimes I feel You
Sometimes I don’t
Sometimes I’ll hear You
Sometimes I won’t
But this I know,
With all my heart, With all my soul
Ungizungezile
(You surround me)
Ngasemuva nangaphambili
(Behind me and before me)
Wabek’isandla sakho phezu kwam’
(You’ve placed Your hand on me)
When You feel distant
And darkness near
My faith is wading
Through doubt and fear
This I’ll know
With all my heart, and all my soul!
Ungizungezile
(You surround me)
Ngasemuva nangaphambili
(Behind me and before me)
Wabek’isandla sakho phezu kwam’
(You’ve placed Your hand on me)
Uyangihlolisisa, uyangazi!
(You have searched me, You know me!)
Uk’hlala nokuvuka kwam’ uyakwazi
(You know my sitting and my rising)
(Refrain)
Ungizungezile - You Sorround me - This I know
Ungizungezile - You Sorround me - This I know Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
We Will Worship's song "Ungizungezile - You Surround Me - This I Know" stands as a powerful and moving declaration of faith, beautifully blending English and isiZulu lyrics. Released on November 17, 2016, this piece resonates with listeners by articulating the common human experience of fluctuating faith and the unwavering truth of God's omnipresence. It captures the tension between personal feelings and divine reality, offering comfort and reassurance through its core message.
The song opens with vulnerable honesty in the English verses, expressing the reality of feeling God's presence sometimes and not at other times. It speaks to moments of perceived distance and the struggle through doubt and fear when darkness feels near. This relatable portrayal of the Christian walk sets the stage for the anchors of truth that follow, highlighting that faith isn't always based on feeling but on what the believer knows deep within their heart and soul.
This personal struggle leads directly into the powerful declaration found in the isiZulu chorus and bridge. "Ungizungezile," meaning "You surround me," is the central, comforting assertion. It is expanded upon with "Ngasemuva nangaphambili" (Behind me and before me) and the tangible image "Wabek’isandla sakho phezu kwam’" (You’ve placed Your hand on me), emphasizing God's active and protective presence from every direction. The bridge further deepens this theme of divine intimacy, declaring "Uyangihlolisisa, uyangazi!" (You have searched me, You know me!) and "Uk’hlala nokuvuka kwam’ uyakwazi" (You know my sitting and my rising), illustrating God's complete and intimate knowledge of every detail of one's life.
The lyrical content draws heavily from specific scriptural themes, most notably Psalm 139. The chorus directly mirrors the language of Psalm 139:5, stating "You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me." Similarly, the bridge echoes Psalm 139:1-2, "O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar." This strong foundation in scripture provides a solid biblical basis for the song's message of God's inescapable presence and comprehensive knowledge.
Through its structure and message, "Ungizungezile" functions as a powerful worship anthem that moves from honest vulnerability to confident affirmation. It reminds listeners that regardless of their emotional state or external circumstances, they are never outside of God's encompassing presence. The song serves as a declaration of trust in God's unchanging nature, providing a source of hope and strength rooted in the profound truth that the believer is completely surrounded, intimately known, and securely held by God.
