Obama's Psalm 46 Reading for 9/11 Memorial Gets Mixed Reactions
At the Sept 11 memorial that took place on Sunday, President Barack Obama quoted Psalm 46 and caused a stir on various Internet platforms.
"God is our refuge and strength," Obama said, quoting Psalm 46 from the Bible after a symbolic moment of silence that represented the initial destruction of the World Trade Center north tower ten years ago.
“…God is in the midst of her. She shall not be moved,” continued Obama as he stood before the white oak trees of the new 9/11 memorial.
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In one forum, a blogger questioned the biblical remarks.
“Was it inappropriate for Obama to read Psalm 46 at the 9/11 Memorial Ceremony this morning," the individual wrote.
According to Josh Earnest, principal deputy press secretary for Obama, the president had a reason for choosing the passage.
"The President chose a scripture which he believed was most appropriate -- he believed it was particularly appropriate to use -- to read scripture this morning,” Earnest said. “And he chose a passage that talks of persevering through very difficult challenges and emerging from those challenges stronger."
A twitter user seemed to disagree with those sentiments.
"They have no prayer in schools but today at a memorial Pres Obama stated the 46 Psalm and Pres Bush stated God established this nation," the user wrote.
This is not Obama’s first time referring to Psalm 46 in the face of tragedy. After a Tuscan shooting that injured Gabrielle Giffords and killed others, Obama referred to the scripture.
Despite backlash, some seemed to appreciate Obama’s choice of biblical reference to commemorate the tragedy that struck the country.
"Our president is reading Psalm 46 over ground zero right now,” one twitter user wrote. “Perfect words.”
