Presidential Oaths of Office
Thursday, January 29, 2026
“The king’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the LORD; He guides it wherever He pleases.” Proverbs 21:1 (NLT)
The presidential oath of office is traditionally taken with the incoming chief executive’s right hand raised in the air and his left hand resting on a Bible. And not just any Bible, mind you, but on a Bible turned open to a particular passage, hand-selected by him.
Here is a sampling of some of the verses that previous presidents chose for their inaugurations…
James Garfield, 1881 – “The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.” Proverbs 21:1
William McKinley, 1897 – “Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great?” 2 Chronicles 1:10
Theodore Roosevelt, 1905 – “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass.” James 1:22-23
Woodrow Wilson, 1917 – “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1
Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1933, 1937, 1941, 1945 – “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal…” 1 Corinthians 13
Gerald Ford, 1974 – “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.” Proverbs 3:5-6
Jimmy Carter, 1977 – “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8
Ronald Reagan, 1981, 1985 – “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14
George W. Bush, 2005 – “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.” Isaiah 40:31
“Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people He has chosen as His inheritance!” Psalm 33:12 BSB)
- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President
