Solomon Says: Bless America

Irving Berlin, composer of a beloved American patriotic hymn.

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In the same week our nation honored fallen military personnel who sacrificed their lives to protect liberties such as freedom of religion, speech and the remaining Bill of Rights, a court decision in New York sparked cries that “this is a bad day for America.”

We agree, these are bad days for America, but not because of that verdict. Responses to the verdict across the nation further illustrated divisions in the U.S. that seem to grow wider daily, regardless of topic. Politics is least among them.

As we rehearse the songs and Scripture content of our newest show, “Freedom Suite: Juneteenth, July Fourth, The Gospel,” we’re affected by the parallels between “bad days” in American history and those of the Israelites and Judeans recorded in the Old Testament books Kings and Chronicles.


Amid headlines of court cases, violence, tornadic weather, wars and rumors of wars, we often hear, read or cry out, “God, Bless America.”  Before this was a jingoist slogan, the phrase was a beloved song, written by Irving Berlin, an immigrant, a Jewish composer born in Russia, whose surname translates to the name of Germany’s capital.


This parallel is among the ironies we highlight in “Freedom Suite.”

The consequences that befell ancient Hebrews included civil war, being conquered by outside nations, and lamenting destruction of the grand temple King Solomon built in Jerusalem.

The sadness of these actions is compounded by the fact that centuries before, after Solomon dedicated the temple, The LORD God told him how the Hebrew people could continue receiving such blessings. The material and spiritual blessings were offered freely, but with conditions.

“If my people who are called by My name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked, evil ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
— 2 Chronicles 7:14 (The English Standard and Christian Standard Versions)

Five verses later (19), The LORD God added:

“However, if you turn away and abandon my statutes and my commands that I have set before you and if you go and serve other gods and bow in worship to them…”

Feel free to read the remainder of the consequence promise. As you do, ponder how these words are not just Old Testament history, but applicable to our nation. Are they a prophetic warning, or promise of hope?

In light of God’s words to Solomon, “God, Bless America” has taken new dimension for our cast. As we interpret Irving Berlin’s lyrics as poetry, we pray about individual changes we each must make. We ask that our fellow citizens and leaders do likewise, especially in this election year. Most of all, as we confess our personal, national and historic sins, we ask The LORD God to improve our choices by presenting to us leaders who rule with the insights of Solomon.