Mbele Ninaendelea (Bwana Unipandishe) Lyrics [Nyimbo za Injili 56]
1 Mbele ninaendelea,
Ninazidi kutembea;
Maombi uyasikie,
Ee Bwana unipandishe.
Ee, Bwana, uniinue,
Kwa imani nisimame;
Nipande milima yote,
Ee Bwana, unipandishe.
2 Sina tamani nikae,
Mahali pa shaka, kamwe;
Hapo wengi wanakaa,
Kuendelea naomba.
3 Nisikae duniani,
Ni mahali pa Shetani;
Natazamia mbinguni,
Nitafika kwa imani.
4 Nataka nipandishwe juu,
Zaidi yale mawingu;
Nitaomba nifikishe,
Ee Bwana, unipandishe.
Equivalent Hymn (English Translation):
I’m pressing on the upward way (Higher ground)
1 I’m pressing on the upward way,
New heights I’m gaining every day;
Still praying as I onward bound,
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”
Lord, lift me up, and let me stand
By faith on Canaan’s tableland;
A higher plane than I have found,
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
2 My heart has no desire to stay
Where doubts arise and fears dismay;
Though some may dwell where these abound,
My prayer, my aim, is higher ground.
3 I want to live above the world,
Though Satan’s darts at me are hurled;
For faith has caught the joyful sound,
The song of saints on higher ground.
4 I want to scale the utmost height
And catch a gleam of glory bright;
But still I’ll pray till rest I’ve found,
“Lord, lead me on to higher ground.”
Notes
This hymn that was composed by Charles Hutchinson Gabriel (1856-1932), drew its inspiration from Philippians 3:14. In this verse, Paul reminded the believers in Philippi to press on toward the goal of clinching the prize in Christ. Even in the midst of their challenging situation, Paul exhorted them to press on toward the mark.
So, no matter the challenge facing you now, you must find a way to press on. Wrapped up in the word “press” (dioko) is the idea of pressure. That is, “to follow” or “to pursue,”, suggesting an impassioned pursuit.
Psalm 18:33 also seems to be related to the content of this hymn. The Psalmist declares that it is God who causes “one to stand on heights”.
