Lyrics
[Chorus / Refrain]
(Yebo) Liyabasebenzela, abalikholwayo
(Yes, it works for those who believe)
Liyabasebenzela, abalikholwayo
(It works for those who believe in Him)
[Verse 1]
Liyasebenza leli zwi (It works, this Word)
Kholwa nje kuphela (Just believe)
Vuma nangenhliziyo, liyasebenza (Agree in your heart, it works)
Liphila ngaphakathi kwethu (It lives within us)
Liyasebenza leli zwi (It works, this Word)
Sibonile, sibonile mandulo (We have seen it, we have seen it from of old)
Ti-li-le… Eyi! Eyi!…
[Chorus / Refrain]
Liyabasebenzela, abalikholwayo
(It works for those who believe)
Liyabasebenzela, abalikholwayo
(It works for those who believe)
[Declarations]
Liyasebenza (It works)
Liyasebenza leli zwi, bangcwele (Saints, this Word works)
Iyaphila le nto (This thing is alive)
Inamandla le nto (This thing is powerful)
Iyaphila le nto (This thing is alive)
Eyi! Eyi!…
[Praise Solo]
Bangcwele, inamandla le nto (Saints, this thing is powerful)
Iyaphila le nto (This thing is alive)
Izwi Lakhe liy’umbhoshongo (His Word is a strong tower)
Obalekela kulo, uyalondeka (Whoever runs to it is kept safe)
Webangcwele, asihlale kulo (Saints, let us abide in it)
Sibong’ ukusho kwezwi Lakhe (We give thanks for the utterance of His Word)
Ayi phela leli zwi, alihluleki (Indeed this Word never fails)
Hayibo, leli zwi alihluleki (Truly, this Word cannot fail)
Webangcwele, liyabasebenzela (Saints, it works for them)
[Chorus / Refrain]
Webangcwele, liyabasebenzela (O Saints, it works for them)
Webathandwa, liyasebenza (O Beloved, it works)
Iyaphila le nto! (This thing is alive!) (x3)
Kholwa! (Believe!) (x5)
[Vamp / Exhortation]
Jesus! (x4)
Iyaphila! (It is alive!) (x4)
(There is no other God, no other King, no other Name, no other Savior, no other Healer!)
Jesus! Jesu! Jesu! Jesu!
No connections needed, Jesus! (x3)
He’s a good connector! (x2)
He’s a good networker!
[Spontaneous Worship / Spoken Praise]
Eyi!
Oh, Bayede kuwe, Nkosi enamandla onke!
(All hail to You, Almighty King!)
Umninimandla wonke lo
(To whom all power belongs)
Wawukhona umhlaba ungakabikho
(You were already there before the world existed)
Sithi nje: Eyi!
(All we can say is: Eyi!)
Siyazi izwi Lakho lithotshelwa yizo zonk’ izimo
(We know that Your Word is obeyed by every situation)
Bayede! Ey, Uyizulu!
(Hail! O Heavenly One!)
Eyi!
Awu, bheka kuye phezulu
(Look up to Him on high)
Bakhany’ ubuso babo
(Their faces are radiant)
Abasoze basaba
(They will never be ashamed or afraid)
[Outro]
Thatha le nto (Receive this)
Thath’ uJesu (Receive Jesus)
Awu, nami Nkosi! (Oh, count me in, Lord!)
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
Liyabasebenzela is built around confidence in the living and effective word of God. The refrain says that it works for those who believe, and the verses develop that confession through calls to believe, agree in the heart, and remain in God’s word. Descriptions of the word as alive, strong, and unfailing make the song both a declaration of faith and an exhortation to the gathered saints. Its translated lines keep the central message accessible without separating it from the isiZulu praise language.
The song’s biblical links are especially clear in its language of life, power, trust, and safety. Hebrews 4:12 describes God’s word as living and active, closely matching the repeated claim that the word is alive and works. The invitation to believe recalls Mark 9:23, where Jesus speaks of possibility for the one who believes. The later image of looking upward and receiving radiant, unashamed faces echoes Psalm 34:5. Together, these passages support the lyric’s focus on faith in God’s dependable word while its final praises direct that confidence toward Jesus.
Related Scripture
- Hebrews 4:12 God’s word is described as living, active, and powerful.
- Mark 9:23 Jesus speaks of what is possible for the one who believes.
- Psalm 34:5 Those who look to the Lord are radiant and are not put to shame.