29 September 2012

Forty Days to November
Day 2: The Star-Spangled Banner




Most people only know the first verse of the National Anthem penned as a poem by Francis Scott Key during the war of 1812.  on September 13, 1814, a young American watched relentless bombing throughout out that night. Then, silence.  When daylight arrived, Key saw the American flag waving proudly.  He immediately started writing "Defence of Fort McHenry." This poem was set to a popular tune and then renamed "The Star-Spangled Banner."

On March 3, 1931 Key's words by a congressional resolution was mad the National Anthem of the United States of America. Read the whole poem. It's not just about "bombs bursting in air" which some are prone to egregiously error that it is referring to our bombs. This poem at the time written expresses one man's deep gratitude for America's freedom and God's Blessings.


O thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand

Between their loved home and the war's desolation.

Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the Heav'n 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*


Patriot's Prayer: Thank you for keeping this nation safe and protecting us from harm. Call  us back to You that we may live with You as our trust.


Psalm 136:24 "He rescued us from our enemies, for His Mercy endures forever.

Defence of Fort M'Henry broadside.jpg

*One bit of history trivia. During the War Between the States, an additional verse was added:
When our land is illumined with liberty's smile,
If a foe from within str kes a blow at her glory,
Down, down with the traitor that tries to defile
The flag of the stars, and the page of her story!
By the millions unchained,
Who their birthright have gained
We will keep her bright blazon forever unstained;
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave,
While the land of the free is the home of the brave.




*All source material(unless otherwise noted)from God's Promises for the American Patriot by Dr. Richard D Lee & Jack Countryman; In God We Still Trust by Dr. Richard D Lee; and The American Patriot's Bible: The Word of God and the Shaping of America(NKJV) by Richard G Lee (general editor).

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