Praise and worship can be described as the humble response of renew human beings to the self-disclosure of the Most High God. Praise and worship songs are based upon the works and word of God, and are hence achieved through the mighty activities of God. Historically, praise and worship songs have always formed an integral part on the idea of worship, probably because of the ease with which these songs provide in expressing the worshipper’s deepest love and adoration to the highest God.
Nigerian Praise and Worship songs are one of a kind, which are sung either in the local languages or in English. It is not uncommon to find different interpretations of English praise and worship songs into Local Nigerian languages. This gives worshipers, who each have different moods, a wide range to express themselves in adoration, praise, pray, and reverence.
The praise and worship songs provide a unique way for worshippers to confess to the Lord as well as respond to his mighty Glory in a language they understand better. In other cases, Nigerian praise and worship songs provide a unique way in which the congregation is better able to understand and interpret the word of God. Particularly, Praise and worship songs enhance the most crucial elements of praise and worship – reading the word of God, the Holy Communion sacrament, and the Sermon.
Praise and worship songs also prepare the worshipper to receive the profuse grace and abundant Blessings from God. Going through the lyrics of Nigerian Praise and Worship songs you will discover that the lyrics are quiet simple. Nigerians don’t make their songs theological and too fancy; instead, they just target simple biblical truths in the native language or in English. Some examples of Nigerian Praise and Worship songs, which have been translated into the local languages for easy praise and worship, are:
Oh, What A Wonderful, Wonderful Day
Oh what a wonderful, wonderful day,
A day I will never forget,
After I’d wandered in darkness away,
Jesus my Saviour I met.
Oh what a tender compassionate friend,
He met the needs of my heart
Shadows dispelling, with joy I am telling
He made all the darkness depart.
Heaven came down and glory filled my soul
When at the cross, my Saviour made me whole
My sins were washed away, and my night was turned to day
Heaven came down and glory filled my soul (3x)
And That My Soul Knows Very Well
You make your face to shine on me
And that my soul knows very well
You lift me up, I’m cleansed and free
And that my soul knows very well
(Chorus:)
When mountains fall, I’ll stand
By the power of Your hand
And in Your Heart of Hearts I’ll dwell
And that my soul knows very well
(Repeat chorus)
Joy and strength each day I find
And that my soul knows very well
Forgiveness, hope, joy is mine
And that my soul knows very well
(Chorus:)
When mountains fall, I’ll stand
By the power of Your hand
And in Your Heart of Hearts I’ll dwell
And that my soul knows very well
(Repeat chorus)
Arise
For You are good
Your love endures forever
And we rejoice in Your unfailing love
Consume our praise with fire down from heaven
And fill us with Your power from above
Arise, arise, arise
Oh Lord our God, arise
Arise oh Lord within our midst
As we declare Your righteousness
Lift up the name that we confess
As we proclaim Your holiness
Arise, arise, arise
Oh Lord (oh Lord)
Our God (our God)
Arise
Salvation comes from You alone
Oh Lamb of God, the chosen one
That we might be Your resting place
We worship You, we seek Your face
Arise, arise, arise
Oh Lord (oh Lord)
Our God (our God)
Arise