Francis Scott Key was a lawyer, but He is best known for a poem he wrote. It was originally entitled “Defence of Fort McHenry”. It was later set to the tune of a popular British song and renamed “The Star-Spangled Banner.”  Although it was four stanza long, most people only know and sing the first. Because of that, most people don’t know the way He wove his faith in the one true God into that poem/hymn.

O say can you see by the dawn’s early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming,
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there;
O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave,
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe’s haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o’er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning’s first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines on the stream:
‘Tis the star-spangled banner, Oh long may it wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

When our land is illumined with liberty’s smile
If a foe from within Strikes a blow at her glory
Down, down with the traitor that dares to defile
The flag of the stars and the page of her story
And 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.

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!

Something else you may not know is that another poem he wrote is a hymn included in the Lutheran Hymnal, Lutheran Worship and our current Lutheran Service Book. Entitled “Before You Lord We Bow,” it was written for the celebration of Independence Day in 1832. The one whose Star Spangled Banner encouraged us to Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation! and penned the motto: “In God is our trust” recognized that our lives were in the hands of the Creator and Redeemer of the world. He praises God as the ruler and protector and encourages the people of this nation to remember to praise the one in control. Mr. Key, like the vast majority of patriots who established this nation and those who have stood up for and defended this nation throughout her history, was a Christian. Listen to the expression of His faith in this hymn:

Before you, Lord, we bow, Our God who reigns above
And rules the world below, Boundless in pow’r and love.
Our thanks we bring In joy and praise, Our hearts we raise To you, our king!

The nation you have blest May well your love declare,
From foes and fears at rest, Protected by your care.
For this bright day, For this fair land–Gifts of your hand — Our thanks we pay.

May ev’ry mountain height, Each vale and forest green,
Shine in your Word’s pure light, and its rich fruits be seen!
May ev’ry tongue Be tuned to praise And join to raise A grateful song.

Earth, hear your Maker’s voice; Your great Redeemer own;
Believe, obey, rejoice, And worship him alone.
Cast down your pride, Your sin deplore, And bow before The Crucified.

And when in pow’r he comes, Oh, may our native land
From all its rending tombs Send forth a glorious band,
A countless throng, With joy to sing To heav’n’s high king Salvation’s song!

May we continue to bow before the crucified and may God continue to bless our nation.