Voices only: ‘What a Beautiful Name’
Welcome to Voices only, where we search the internet to…
Voices only: Nigeria’s own ‘Way Maker’
This hymn, popularized by Michael W. Smith, actually was written by West African artist Sinach. Hear it sung a cappella by Nigerians, Brazilians and Brits.
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Welcome to Voices only, where we search the internet to bring you great a cappella music.
You might have sung “Way Maker” during Sunday worship without realizing its Nigerian origins. A lot of us think that the song was written by renowned Christian singer/songwriter Michael W. Smith, but he only covered it (as did Mandisa, Leeland … the list goes on).
Nigerian singer Sinach originally released the song in 2015.
And, in keeping with its West African origins, here’s a beautiful cover of the song by Nigerian vocal group T Sharp & Vox Vitae Chorale.
Here are some of my thoughts as I listen to this beautiful hymn:
• Our God, Yahweh, is great and mighty! There is none like him! The work of his hands is marvelous! And I stay in awe reflecting on how he has been touching my heart, on what he has done for me and the people around me and on who he is! He is holy, the most Holy Pne! The true one living God, full of glory and power, majesty and honor! Praise be to him.
• He is the God who brings light to the darkness, life to the dead and hope for the lost! He performs miracles in our lives, and he has been doing miracles throughout human history. He turns the impossible possible. He is a faithful Father who keeps his promises and is faithful to his word. That is who he is!
(Here’s an amazing clip of the song from Grupo Versos in Brazil, sung in Portuguese):
• The Lord is active and involved in our lives. Sometimes we don’t see it. But even in silence, God is working. He has been healing hearts, moving in our midst, touching lives, bringing people to his presence, saving, delivering, forgiving, giving freedom to the captive. It is just incredible how God is moving and revealing himself to people. For me, this song is also a reminder the He is here, in our midst — “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, I am there among them” (Matthew 18:20). He is here! He is among us, working in us, leading us in his way of life and truth!
• Jesus is the way! He is the way to a relationship with God, the Father. He is the way to life, to forgiveness and redemption. He is the way even in a desert or in the middle of the storm! Trust in him. Praise and worship him for who he is and for what he has done in your life. Glory be to him.
“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise–the fruit of lips that openly profess his name” (Hebrews 13:15)
Finally, here’s another a cappella cover of the song from members of Hope Church Guildford, a congregation in England:
What a cappella song do you find especially meaningful? Send us a video link and a short description of what the song means to you. We might use your selection in a future Voices Only.
DANIELA NEVES is a student at Oklahoma Christian University in Oklahoma City. She is a student worker for The Christian Chronicle and a translator for Luso-Africa Mission Partners (LAMP) International. She is from Lisbon, Portugal, and grew up in the Igreja de Cristo Lisboa (Lisbon Church of Christ)
