BIBLICAL WORDS TO SWEAR IN BY

A little-known inaugural tradition calls for presidents to choose a biblical passage upon which to swear. The passages are not read aloud; often the Bible is opened to the page of the chosen verse.

According to official records, 28 presidents have sworn on certain passages. Their choices often reflected national sentiment or foreshadowed events in their terms. Some examples (from the King James translation. For passages consisting of an entire chapter, the beginning and ending verses are included.):

Abraham Lincoln, 1865

Remembered most for preserving the Union and ending slavery, he used a Bible opened at random for his first term, but chose these verses for his second.

Matthew 7:1 and 18:7: Judge not, that ye be not judged. . . . Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!

Revelation 16:7: And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments.

William Howard Taft, 1909

Taft is the only president to also serve as chief justice of the U.S.

I Kings 3:9-11: Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment . . .

Woodrow Wilson, 1917

America entered World War I shortly after his second term began. He chose Psalm 119, which includes “I have gone astray like a lost sheep,” for his first inauguration, but used this for his second:

Psalm 46: God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea. . . . The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.

Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1933, 1937, 1941, 1945

The only president to serve more than two terms, Roosevelt took his oath upon the same passage for all four inaugurations.

I Corinthians 13: Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. . . . And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

Gerald R. Ford, 1974

After Richard Nixon resigned and Ford became president, many Americans felt disillusioned by politics. Ford declared that “our long national nightmare is over.”

Proverbs 3:5-6: Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Bill Clinton, 1993, 1997

The economy flourished during his presidency, but his relationship with Monica S. Lewinsky led to his impeachment by the House in 1998. The Senate acquitted him.

Galatians 6:8: For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

Isaiah 58:12: And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.

George W. Bush, 2005

He used a closed Bible at his first inauguration, eight months before the 9/11 attacks. The Bible was opened to Isaiah the second time.

Isaiah 40:31: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

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joanna.lin@latimes.com