“We ourselves are COMFORTED by God” (A Refuge for the Pariah)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all COMFORT, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the COMFORT with which we ourselves are COMFORTED by God.

For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in COMFORT too.

If we are afflicted, it is for your COMFORT and salvation; and if we are COMFORTED, it is for your COMFORT, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer.

2 Corinthians 1:3-6 RSV

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, they COMFORT me.

Psalms 23:4 RSV

“Pariah”
(feat. Ninet Tayeb)

I’m tired of weakness, tired of my feet of clay
I’m tired of days to come, I’m tired of yesterday
And all the worn out things that I ever said
Now it’s much too late, the words stay in my head

So the day will begin again
Take comfort from me, it’s up to you now
You’re still here, and you’ll dig in again
That’s comfort to you, it’s up to you now
So Pariah, you’ll begin again
Take comfort from me
And I will take comfort from you

I’m tired of Facebook, tired of my failing health
I’m tired of everyone and that includes myself
Well being alone now it doesn’t bother me
But not knowing if you are, well that’s been Hell you see

So the day will begin again
Take comfort from me, it’s up to you now
You’re still here, and you’ll dig in again
That’s comfort to you, it’s up to you now
So Pariah, you’ll begin again
Take comfort from me
It will take time

Don’t you worry, don’t worry about a thing
‘Cause nothing really dies, nothing really ends

By Steven Wilson

Preserve me, O God, for in thee I take refuge.

Psalms 16:1 RSV

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult.

Psalms 46:1-3 RSV

Refuge
Steven Wilson

Here in the wreckage
The winter is hard
I sleep in the same clothes
That I dragged through the mud

And if you ask me
Nothing’s changed
There’s nowhere else I can go
So I stay

We’re writhing rats
We make beds in the straw
And then we build houses
Paint our names on the door

And if you ask me again
Is this life?
I don’t see I have a choice
But I still smile
And bide my time

I who have no roots
And nowhere to go
And as for the future
Well, I really don’t know

But if you ask me
I will nod
But if you ask me…

Here I am
Here I am

My dear wife
And my children of God
The borders were already drawn for us

Hold on to life
In this refuge of dirt
And search for a place you can breathe again

It’s not a crime
I’d love to see you again
Sometime soon
But will you give back to me now
What you stole?

By Steven Wilson