Today’s Scrip-Bit 11 September 2026 Psalm 31:1.
Psalm 31:1. In thee, O lord, do I put my trust (I take refuge); let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness.
And if you didn’t know it was Friday, the loud shout of our Friday Mantra would certainly have informed you. Yes, it went up to heaven on a wing and a prayer: (smile) ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday and the weekend is here at long last!’ Both the children and parents will be glad for a break from school and work, while trying to acclimatize themselves once more to the common task and daily grind. And it’s another beautiful sunshiny summer’s day! Oh how I just LOVE to wake up and see the sun shining brightly and also feel it’s warmth on my skin, because I know it won’t be long now before I might see it shining, but it’s warmth would have disappeared with the incoming cold weather. So let’s make hay while the warm sun still shines! (smile)
And today, we’ll contemplate some interesting words of Bruh David from Psalm 31, titled My Rock and My Fortress. So please pray with me: ‘In thee, O lord, do I put my trust (I take refuge); let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness. Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock (rock of refuge), for an house of defence (fortress) to save me. For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name’s sake lead me, and guide me. Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily (secretly) for me: for thou art my strength. Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth. I have hated them that regard lying vanities (vain idols): but I trust in the Lord.’ (Ps. 31:1-6)
Oh my people, can we make those same claims that Bruh David makes about trusting in God, of Him being our rock and refuge, our fortress and strong tower? I certainly hope so, because if you read verses 9-13, you’ll see that Bruh David was going through a very rough time, but he still had the faith, courage and fortitude to turn to the God of his forefathers, as he says: ‘I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities (troubles); and hast not shut me up into (given me over to) the hand of the enemy: thou hast set my feet in a large room (a wide place).’ (Ps. 31:7-8)
And after acknowledging God’s goodness, then he explains his cry for help and entreats the Lord to do so. ‘Have mercy upon me, O Lord, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed (wastes away) with grief, yea, my soul and my belly (body). For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed (waste away). I was a reproach (a despised thing) among all mine enemies, but especially among my neighbours, and a fear to mine acquaintance: they that did see me without (outside) fled from me. I am forgotten as a dead (perishing) man out of my mind: I am like a broken vessel. For I have heard the slander of many: fear was on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised (schemed) to take away my life.’ (Ps. 31:9-13)
Life was indeed not easy for Bruh David at that particular time, but then again, his faith rose to the forefront. ‘But I trusted in thee, O Lord: I said, thou art my God. My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me. Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: save me for thy mercies sake. Let me not be ashamed, O Lord; for I have called upon thee: let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave. Let the lying lips be put to silence which speak grievous (insolent) things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.’ (Ps. 31:14-18)
Yes friends, through all his laments, Bruh David is still finding time and place to praise the Lord and give thanks for His help. And this last section is no different, when he declares: ‘Oh how great is thy goodness which thou hast laid up for them that fear (reverence) thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men! Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence (secret place) from the pride (plots) of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion (shelter) from the strife of tongues.
Blessed be the Lord: for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness in a strong city. For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee. O LOVE the Lord, all ye his saints: for the Lord preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth (fully repays) the proud doer. Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.’ (Ps. 31:19-24)
Yes my faithful brethren, we will certainly go through many trials and troubles in this evil and ungodly world, but if we stand strong in faith and cry out sincerely to our God foe help, He will help us, not always in the ways we desire, but in much better ways than we can help ourselves. And we can do that right now by going to the throne of grace, through our Friday Chant, seeking divine aid in these perilous times.
Altogether: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work. It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through. You know our many serious problems are escalating instead of improving, and we desperately need your help to fix them. Heavenly Father, with your omnipotent help, and our trusting faith, we know that we can stand strong and steadfast and defeat the simmering unrest in our land. So please give our leaders the wise guidance to handle these unexpected storms properly.
And despite the anxiety and confusion of these ungodly times, help us to be responsible, and get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that we can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out next week and further your glorious kingdom by the good example we, your faithful believers set. So that our sinful world can wake up and smell the coffee, wake up and smell it sweet and strong! We pray this in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen!’
Now, let’s note that we supposed believers also need to wake up and smell the coffee sweet and strong, because our current witness for Christ is certainly not good enough or else our world would not be in total disarray! Much LOVE!
…when troubles drive us crazy…a sincere cry to Almighty God for help…is always the best solution…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
