Ufanelwe by Dr Tumi: Translated Lyrics & Song Review

Ufanelwe by Dr Tumi exudes worship as it will be in heaven – incessant adoration and worship. In the Holy presence of God, where the splendor of His holiness, glory and majesty abounds in full display, no response is fitting than falling down in awe and reverence.

Borrowing from heavenly words of worship spoken by angels, the elders and heavenly creatures, Ufanelwe allows the believer to join in worship to the King of glory.

Ufanelwe is an exemplary worship song, blending both the Zulu language and English. The song comes in 20 days after the release of Dr Tumi’s Lay It All Down. Let’s dive in, explore the scriptural basis, and song lyrics:

Song factsheet

Song review

Main themes

Ufanelwe by Dr Tumi is depictive of worship in heaven. The following themes stand out:

• The worthiness of God
• Glory unto God alone
• God’s Holiness
• Christ: exalted, glorious and LORD of hosts

Scriptural references

The worthiness of God

Wen’ ufanelwe (You are worthy)

God alone is worthy of our adoration. By His power, He created us, and in Him we live, move and have our being. Yet, in the majesty of His greatness, He loves us. The love of God was demonstrated through the sacrifice of Christ on the cross, and so the heavenly host declares that He, the Lamb of God is worthy of adoration.

So we worship our God in awe of who He is and in gratitude for what He’s done. “Worthy” is one of the most prevalent declarations of worship found in Revelation.

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭4:11‬ ‭KJV‬‬

[11] Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭5:12‬ ‭KJV

[11] And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;

‬‬[12] saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. 

Glory unto God alone

Siletha lonke udumo (We bring all the glory)

To none other can glory be ascribed but our God. His nature in Holiness inspires awe. His deeds unto us are great. Nothing that we have is of our own, not even the breath that sustains us. It all belongs to Him.

In response, we could return nothing to Him, but render our worship in adoration of Him.

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭115:1‬ ‭KJV

‬‬[1] Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, For thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake.

‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭16:29‬ ‭KJV‬‬

[29] Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: Bring an offering, and come before him: Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

God’s Holiness

Ncwele Ncwele Ncwele (Holy Holy Holy)

Our God is holy, above all sin and fault. As such, He is righteous and just. Nothing unclean can enter His glorious courts. Only He embodies these qualities. His holiness evokes reverence to Him.

The holiness of God is constantly declared by heavenly creatures as they fall in worship, never tiring. Ufanelwe joins in this declaration, mirroring the repetitive pharase, “Holy, holy, holy.”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭4:8‬ ‭KJV

‬‬[8] And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.

Christ: exalted, glorious and Lord of hosts

Uya Halalela (He is glorious)

Jesu wa makgotla (Jesus LORD of hosts)

Christ paid the ultimate price for the redemption of mankind, and was thereafter exalted by God. He is the King of glory, in command of the armies of heaven.

Philippians‬ ‭2:9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

[9] Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

Hebrews‬ ‭1:3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

[3] who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; 

Isaiah‬ ‭6:3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

[3] And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. 

Song lyrics

Did you know you could play and listen to the song while you follow through the lyrics?

Wen' ufanelwe
You are worthy
Wen' ufanelwe
You are worthy
Siletha lonke udumo
We bring all the glory
Sitsho kuwe
We say to You
Holy Holy Holy

Wen' ufanelwe
You are worthy
Wen' ufanelwe
You are worthy
Siletha lonke udumo
We bring all the glory
Sitsho kuwe
We say to You
Ncwele Ncwele Ncwele
Holy Holy Holy

You sit on the throne
You are high and lifted up
Besides you there is no other Lord
We sing
You are Holy Holy 
You're Holy

Ufanelwe, ufanelwe, ufanelwe
Worthy, worthy, worthy
Siletha lonke udumo
We bring all the glory
Sitsho kuwe
We say to You
Ncwele, Holy, Holy
Holy, Holy, Holy

So we lift up our voice and praise
As we join the angels

Wen' ufanelwe
You are worthy
Wen' ufanelwe
You are worthy
Siletha lonke udumo
We bring all the glory
Sitsho kuwe
We say to You
Ncwele Ncwele Ncwele
Holy Holy Holy
(Occurs 2 times)

You sit on the throne
And You are high and lifted up
Oh Jesus Siletha lonke udumo
Oh Jesus we bring all the glory
Sitsho kuwe
We say to You
You're Holy, Holy, Holy

Ufanelwe, ufanelwe, ufanelwe
Worthy, worthy, worthy
Siletha lonke udumo
We bring all the glory
Sitsho kuwe
We say to You
Ncwele
Holy

So we lift our voices
As we join the angels

Wen' ufanelwe
You are worthy
Wen' ufanelwe
You are worthy
Siletha lonke udumo
We bring all the glory
Sitsho kuwe
We say to You
Ncwele Ncwele Ncwele
Holy Holy Holy
(Occurs 2 times)


Uya Halalela
He is glorious
Uya Halalela
He is glorious
Uya Halalela
He is glorious
Jesu wa makgotla
Jesus Lord of hosts
(Occurs 6 times)

Wen' ufanelwe
You are worthy
Wen' ufanelwe
You are worthy
Siletha lonke udumo
We bring all the glory
Sitsho kuwe
We say to You
Ncwele Ncwele Ncwele
Holy Holy Holy
(Occurs 4 times)

Wen' ufanelwe
You are worthy
Wen' ufanelwe
You are worthy
Siletha lonke udumo
We bring all the glory
Sitsho kuwe
We say to You
Ncwele Ncwele Ncwele
Holy Holy Holy
(Occurs 

Wen' ufanelwe
You are worthy
Wen' ufanelwe
You are worthy
Wen' ufanelwe
You are worthy
Wen' ufanelwe
You are worthy
Wen' ufanelwe
You are worthy
Wen' ufanelwe
You are worthy
Wen' ufanelwe
You are worthy
Wen' ufanelwe
You are worthy

Siletha lonke udumo
We bring all the glory
Sitsho kuwe
We say to You
Ncwele Ncwele Ncwele
Holy Holy Holy

Disclaimer: Unleash Mag does not own any rights to these lyrics. For removal, please contact us on info@unleash.co.ke 

Audience

Ufanelwe is a good fit for congregational worship.

Have you listened to the song yet? Let us know what you think of it.

[Cover image credits: Dr Tumi at RIG Global, Houston, Texas. Source: Facebook/Dr Tumi]