“Thamani Ya Wokovu” (The Value of Salvation) by Christina Shusho is a powerful Swahili gospel song that narrates the priceless worth of salvation through Jesus Christ, drawing from the biblical encounter at the well and emphasizing themes of redemption, God’s love, transformation, and the cost of eternal life.
Ngoja nikusimulie, habari ya kijana mmoja
Let me tell you a story, about one young man
Kijana mtanashati, mpole kipenzi cha wengi
A handsome young man, gentle, loved by many
Anazo sifa nyingi lakini kuu kwake ni upendo
He has many qualities but the greatest is love
Siku moja alikutana na mwanamke Msamaria kisimani
One day he met a Samaritan woman at the well
Kijana kamwomba maji, mwanamke naye kamuuliza
The young man asked her for water, the woman asked him
Tangu lini Wayahudi na Wasamaria tukashikamana
Since when do Jews and Samaritans associate
Kijana akamwambia ungejua mimi ni maji yaliyo hai
The young man told her, if you knew I am the living water
Ungekuja kwangu unywe maji, ili usiwe na kiu tena
You would come to me to drink water so you never thirst again
Mimi aliniona nilikokuwa nimechoka, nimechakaa
He saw me when I was tired and worn out
Kijana kanipenda, kanichukua kanitengenezaaa
The young man loved me, took me and remade me
Thamani ya wokovu wangu anayejua ni Mwokozi wangu
The value of my salvation, only my Savior knows
Gharama ya maisha yangu anayejua ni Muumba
The cost of my life, only the Creator knows
Nikisema nimeokoka mbona hamnielewi
When I say I am saved, why don’t you understand me
Nikisema nimependwa mie, mbona mwanishangaa
When I say I am loved, why are you amazed
Thamani ya wokovu wangu anayejua ni Mwokozi wangu
The value of my salvation, only my Savior knows
Gharama ya maisha yangu anayejua ni Muumba
The cost of my life, only the Creator knows
Nikisema nimeokoka mbona hamnielewi
When I say I am saved, why don’t you understand me
Nikisema nimependwa mie, mbona mwanishangaa
When I say I am loved, why are you amazed
Maisha ni hazina, iliyo mikononi mwa Mungu
Life is a treasure in the hands of God
Hakuna ajuaye salio la siku zake
No one knows the balance of his days
Ukiona ni mzima leo hujui kesho itakuwaje
If you are alive today, you don’t know what tomorrow holds
Ndiyo maana nimeona nikukumbushe habari za Yesu
That’s why I thought to remind you about Jesus
Yeye akikupenda wala hatoitoi kasoro
If He loves you, He won’t criticize you
Ukimupokea leo anabadili historia yako
If you receive Him today, He changes your history
Atakuchukua hivyo ulivyo akufanye kiumbe kipya
He takes you as you are and makes you a new creation
Hata kama unalia leo jua kesho utacheka
Even if you cry today, know tomorrow you will laugh
Huyu Mwanaume Yesu ni wa ajabu wala hana mfano wake
This man Jesus is wonderful, He has no equal
Upendo wake ulivyo mkuu kwetu akajiona heri ajitoe
His love is so great that He considered it better to give Himself
Aliacha enzi na utukufu mbinguni
He left the throne and glory in heaven
Akakubali mateso hata kifo cha aibu
He accepted suffering even a shameful death
Akavuliwa nguo ili mimi nipone
He was stripped naked so that I may be healed
Akatemewa mate ili mimi niwe huru eheee Yesu eee
He was spat on so that I may be free, eee Jesus eee
Thamani ya wokovu wangu anayejua ni Mwokozi wangu
The value of my salvation, only my Savior knows
Gharama ya maisha yangu anayejua ni Muumba
The cost of my life, only the Creator knows
Nikisema nimeokoka mbona hamnielewi
When I say I am saved, why don’t you understand me
Nikisema nimependwa mie, mbona mwanishangaa
When I say I am loved, why are you amazed
Thamani ya wokovu wangu anayejua ni Mwokozi wangu
The value of my salvation, only my Savior knows
Gharama ya maisha yangu anayejua ni Muumba
The cost of my life, only the Creator knows
Nikisema nimeokoka mbona hamnielewi
When I say I am saved, why don’t you understand me
Nikisema nimependwa mie, mbona mwanishangaa
When I say I am loved, why are you amazed
Thamani ya wokovu wangu anayejua ni Mwokozi wangu
The value of my salvation, only my Savior knows
Gharama ya maisha yangu anayejua ni Muumba
The cost of my life, only the Creator knows
Nikisema nimeokoka mbona hamnielewi
When I say I am saved, why don’t you understand me
Nikisema nimependwa mie, mbona mwanishangaa
When I say I am loved, why are you amazed
This song draws directly from Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well, portraying Him as the living water and highlighting the incomparable value and transformative power of salvation through His sacrifice.
I’m a music blogger and lyrics translator passionate about helping listeners understand the real meaning behind songs. On this blog, I translate and explain lyrics especially African and gospel music so readers can connect with the message beyond the language.