Independence Day, better known as the 4th of July, is almost here, and many of us will be flying our own American flag. It is such a powerful image that there is even a day dedicated to honoring it – Flag Day.

Technically, Flag Day commemorates the June 14, 1777, adoption of the stars and stripes as the official flag of the United States by the Second Continental Congress. (Parenthetically, June 14 also celebrates the birthday of the United States Army, as the continental army was formally established on that day two years earlier). While not a full-fledged federal holiday, in 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation declaring June 14 as Flag Day, and in 1949 an Act of Congress designated it as National Flag Day.

Still, why all the fuss over a piece of cloth hoisted on a pole?

Flags have long been symbols of nations or other groups and political entities. Among a flag’s many purposes is to stir patriotic feelings among a nation’s citizenry and to mark the representation of that country to other nations.

The etymology of the word “flag” is a bit uncertain, but it likely derives from Middle English, from the Old Norse Flaka, meaning to flutter or flap about. While an apt description of what a flag does in the wind, it is not particularly edifying.

In contrast, the Hebrew word for flag – Degel – has a more elevated meaning (pardon the pun). Degel is related to words meaning prominent, distinguished, praised or to profess. So, a flag is that which is prominently displayed to distinguish a nation (or group) so as to praise and profess loyalty to it.

Some Biblical scholars suggest that the word Degel came from related languages, where it originally referred to a military colony “overseen” by a watch tower. As Hebrew developed, the idea of watching over was extended to the flag flying from the tower. For the ancient Hebrews, Degel came to mean a banner symbolizing God’s watching over them, which by encompassing them, designated them as a constituted group.

While few of us know any of the five verses other than the first, it is striking that Francis Scott Key’s 1814 poem, “The Defence [sic] of Fort McHenry” – later renamed “The Star-Spangled Banner” – concludes with the words,
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!

Whether or not God extends a special providence to the United States of America, over the centuries, this land has certainly been a blessing to many people fleeing persecution and struggles, but not to all.
When we as Americans face our national flag, and lift our hands to our hearts or in salute, let us be thankful for our blessings and pray that God extends watchful care over us, our families and all our citizenry; bringing understanding, peace and abiding success to everyone within our borders.

As Irving Berlin, a famous immigrant from my faith, once prayerfully wrote, “God Bless America.”