Lyrics
Verse 1
Uko wapi eh Mungu wangu
Uko wapi njoo uniokoe
Verse 2
Mawimbi yanataka kuniangamiza
Misukosuko yaniandama
Dhoruba na majaribu havikomi kwangu
Uko wapi fanya hima niokoe
Chorus (x2)
Uko wapi eh Bwana
Uko wapi mbona ni kama umeniacha
Usifiche uso wako eh Bwana
Usifiche uso nipone kwa rehema
Mwili huu wa nyama
unachoka pekee yangu sitaweza
Verse 3
Nimegumbikwa wimbi la huzuni na mawazo
Amani kwangu ni kama ndoto
Ole wangu nikifurahi siku moja
Siku sita nitalia wiki ipite
Mangumu yangu nikisimulia kwa ndugu zangu
Waniambia utajijua na Mungu wako
Nikielezea magumu yangu kwa wapendwa
Waniambia tumechoka kukufariji
Wakati mwingine natamani heri nife
Kuliko kuishi ninyanyasike hivi
Verse 4
Uko wapi eh Mungu wa Elijah
Uko wapi eh Mungu wa Ibrahimu
Uko wapi eh Mungu wa isaka
Elshadai fanya hima uniokoe
Outro
Nina neno juu yako eh mpendwa
Usilie kwa mangumu uliyonayo
Usitazame jaribu ulilonalo
Inua macho msalabani umtazame yesu
Japo ndugu wakikutenga na kukuacha
Yesu atakukumbatia majaribu ipo siku yatakoma
Utasahau shida zote ulizopata
Credits & Song Information
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
“Uko Wapi Mungu” (Where are You, God) by William Yilima is a Swahili lament that prays from deep distress. The first verses ask where God is and plead for rescue, describing waves that threaten to destroy, troubles that follow, and storms and trials that do not stop. The chorus asks why it feels as if the Lord has left, and begs him not to hide his face.
The third verse is honest about grief and exhaustion. It speaks of a wave of sadness, of peace feeling like a dream, and of relatives who say they are tired of comforting. The fourth verse calls on the God of Elijah, Abraham, and Isaac, using the name Elshadai. The outro turns to encouragement, urging the listener to lift their eyes to the cross and look at Jesus, since trials will one day end.
The lament is close to Psalm 13:1 and Psalm 22:1, and the call to look to Jesus recalls Hebrews 12:2.
Related Scripture
- Psalm 13:1 “How long wilt thou hide thy face from me?”
- Psalm 22:1 A cry of apparent abandonment
- Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus