God in the songs of America

God is acknowledged in well known patriotic songs of America. Yes, he is acknowledged in the lyrics of the majestic patriotic songs we have sung for many years. Let us consider seven of these songs, the writers and how God is included in the lyrics: 

1) Our national anthem, “The Star Spangled Banner:” written in 1814 by Francis Scott Key, lawyer, attorney general, author and writer, during the War of 1812. Here are the words in stanza two: “O thus be it ever, when free men shall stand/Between their loved homes and the war’s desolation;/Blessed with victory and peace, may the heaven rescued land/Praise the power that hath made and preserved us a nation!/Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just;/And this be our motto: ‘In God is our trust!’/And the star spangled banner in triumph shall wave/O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.”

2) “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” written in 1832 by Samuel F. Smith, a 24 year old seminary student in New England. Here are the words in stanza four: “Our Father’s God to Thee, Author of liberty/To Thee we sing,/Long may our land be bright/With freedom’s holy light;/Protect us by Thy might, Great God, our King!”

3) “America the Beautiful” written in 1893 by Katherine Lee Bates, a 34-year-old English professor at a college in Massachusetts. All four stanzas reference God: Stanza One: “America, America, God shed His grace on thee…” Stanza two: “America, America, God men thine every flaw…” Stanza three: “America, America, may God they gold refine…” Stanza four: “America, America, God shed His grace on thee…”

4) “God of Our Fathers” written by Daniel C. Roberts. God is acknowledged in all four stanzas. Stanza one: “God of our fathers…” Stanza two: “Thy love divine…” Stanza three: “By thy strong arm…” Stanza four: Refresh they people… glory, laud and praise be ever Thine!

5) “Battle Hymn of the Republic”, written in 1865 by Julia Ward Howe while in Washington, D.C. during the Civil War. God is acknowledged in all five stanzas. Stanza one: Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord…” Stanza two: “I have seen Him in the watch fires of a hundred circling camps…” Stanza three: “He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never sound retreat…” Stanza four: “In the beauty of the Lillies Christ was born across the sea…” Stanza five: “He is coming like the glory of the morning on the wave … Our God is marching on.”

6) “God Bless America” written by Irvin Berlin and made famous by vocalist Kate Smith in 1938. With a small comma after the word God, this song becomes a prayer: “God, bless America, land that I love.”

7) “Eternal Father, Strong to Save” written by William Whiting. This is a hymn-prayer as God is addressed in all stanzas in our church hymnals, and it addresses our Triune God (Father, Son and Holy Ghost). Here are the opening words of each of the four stanzas. Stanza one: “Eternal Father, strong to save…” Stanza two: “O Savior, whose almighty word…” Stanza three: “O Holy Spirit, who did brood…” Stanza four: “O Trinity of love and power.”

Yes, whenever and wherever these beloved American songs are sung, God is rightfully acknowledged as having blessed America from its very beginning and Who continues to bless us today. Let us always honor Him and His Word … as individuals and as a nation. 

Peace!