President Barack Obama pauses as he speaks to reporters in the Brady Press Briefing room of the White House in Washington, Friday, July 19, 2013.
President Obama will deliver remarks at the memorial service Sunday evening for the 13 victims of last week’s Navy Yard shooting in Washington, DC. He has presided over more than a handful such days of remembrance in his five years in the White House, and, like many presidents before him, Obama frequently turns to the Bible to offer words of solace.
Most of his references in these situations are to the New Testament, particularly the words of the Apostle Paul, who often wrote about hope. His few Old Testament references are to books of the Bible known as the “Wisdom Literature,” including Psalms, Proverbs, and Job. All of his Biblical references point to a faith that trusts that good, and not evil, will have the final word.
Here are ten Bible passages that the President has relied upon in his memorial addresses.
Job 30
“When I looked for light, then came darkness.”
Memorial Service for Tucson shooting victims, January 12, 2011
Psalm 46
“There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.”
Memorial Service for Tucson shooting victims, January 12, 2011
Proverbs 28
“The wicked flee when no man pursueth; but the righteous are as bold as a lion.”
Remarks at the National Peace Officers’ Memorial, May 15, 2010
Matthew 19
“Let the little children come to me,” Jesus said, “and do not hinder them — for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”
Sandy Hook Interfaith Prayer Vigil, December 16, 2012
Romans 12
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Pentagon Memorial Service, September 11, 2012
2 Corinthians 4
“We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;”
Memorial Service in Joplin, Missouri, May 29, 2011
2 Corinthians 4-5
“Though outwardly we are wasting away…inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.”
Sandy Hook Interfaith Prayer Vigil, December 16, 2012
Ephesians 4
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.”
Pentagon Memorial Service, September 11, 2010
2 Timothy 4
“The time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
Memorial Service for Senator Robert C. Byrd, July 2, 20101 Peter 5
God and grace will “restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”
Wreath-Laying Ceremony At The Pentagon Memorial, September 11, 2009