The Star-Spangled Banner

Today as our closing hymn we sang, "The Star-Spangled Banner".  I have never heard more than the first verse sung anywhere except church. There are actually four versus penned by Francis Scott Key.  Three of those verses are included in our hymnal.  The following is the last verse and is my favorite.

The Star-Spangled Banner 

3. Oh, thus be it ever, when free men shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war’s desolation!
Blest with vict’ry and peace, may the heav’n-rescued land
Praise the Pow’r 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! 

--Text: Francis Scott Key 1779-1843

This wonderful nation in which we are privileged to reside is a heaven rescued land.  It was long ago consecrated for freedom, especially religious freedom.  We should often praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.  Our nation's motto is "In God We Trust" -- It is He who orchestrated the nation's founding and has preserved us a nation.

Thank you, Francis Scott Key, for a beautifully written National Anthem.  Let us always remember to thank our Heavenly Father for this blessed land and country we call home. May the Star-Spangled Banner always wave in triumph o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Happy Independence Day!  (A couple days early.)

That's my two cents.