Strength from within

Labi Siffre was a musician in London who had enjoyed success in the UK in the 1970s with a number of songs, but had gone into a kind of 'self imposed retirement' until, in the mid 1980s he saw a Television documentary on the Apartheid which was the basis of the South African regime and was compelled to write the song above - as a gay black man he had known the struggle of being persecuted and condemned for being who he was, and had also experienced something of the strength and courage which comes from knowing who we are are, and knowing ourselves beloved. 

Scripture

O Lord you have searched me and know me...

...For it was you who formed my inward parts;
   you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
   Wonderful are your works;
that I know very well.

Psalm 139.1,13,14