Behind the Music: Mshangilieni Bwana (Psalm 100:1–2)

Psalm 100 has long been one of the Church’s most beloved calls to worship. Its opening command—“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth”—is both exuberant and expansive, inviting praise that is active, communal, and global in scope. Mshangilieni Bwana was written with that spirit in mind: a setting that celebrates joy, movement, and the shared language of worship across cultures.

Why Swahili?

The central phrase of this piece, “Mshangilieni Bwana,” is a Swahili rendering of Psalm 100:1 and translates to “Make a joyful noise to the Lord.” Swahili is spoken by millions across East and Central Africa and is often associated with congregational singing, rhythm, and embodied praise. By centering the refrain in Swahili, this setting intentionally highlights the global nature of the psalm’s text—all the earth joining in praise.

English text drawn from Psalm 100:1–2 is woven throughout the piece, allowing choirs to communicate the meaning clearly while also inviting singers into a broader linguistic and cultural experience. Pronunciation guides are included in the score to support choirs who may be new to Swahili.

Musical Character and Structure

Mshangilieni Bwana is written for soprano and alto voices with piano accompaniment and is designed to be rhythmically engaging without being inaccessible. Repeated rhythmic motives help establish energy and drive, while familiar text returns throughout the piece to ground the singers and listeners.

The music alternates between:

• Driving, joyful sections that reflect the call to “make a joyful noise,” and

• More grounded moments that emphasize serving the Lord with gladness and singing with purpose.

  
  

The piano accompaniment supports the vocal lines with clear harmonic motion and rhythmic clarity, making the piece effective both in rehearsal and in performance.

Designed for Real Choirs

This piece was written with church and community choirs in mind. The vocal ranges are comfortable, the voice leading is intentional, and the repetition allows choirs to focus on musicality and text rather than survival. While the rhythmic language brings energy, it remains approachable for developing and intermediate ensembles.

Mshangilieni Bwana works well in a variety of settings, including:

• Worship services and liturgy

• Multicultural or missions-focused services

• Choir festivals

• Concert programs centered on joy, praise, or global worship

  
  

A Song of Joyful Service

Psalm 100 does not stop at joy—it connects praise directly to service: “Serve the Lord with gladness.” This piece reflects that theology by pairing exuberant musical moments with a clear, purposeful direction. Joy here is not passive; it is active, embodied, and offered back to God.

Whether sung by a small church choir or a larger ensemble, Mshangilieni Bwana is meant to invite singers and listeners alike into a posture of joyful service and shared praise.

• Title: Mshangilieni Bwana (Psalm 100:1–2)

• Composer: Benjamin J. Nichols

• Voicing: SA with Piano

• Language: Swahili and English

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Sheet music download can be purchased directly through this website here

Thank you for supporting new choral music and for joining in the joyful song of the Church across cultures and generations.