After visiting America in 1831, French writer Alexis de Tocqueville said, “I sought for the greatness of the United States in her commodious harbors, her ample rivers, her fertile fields, and boundless forests—and it was not there. I sought for it in her rich mines, her vast world commerce, her public school system, and in her institutions of higher learning—and it was not there. I looked for it in her democratic Congress and her matchless Constitution—and it was not there. Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great!”
When reading Alexis de Tocqueville's view of America, we can understand why Scripture says in Psalm 33:12, "Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD." and in Proverbs 14:34 the Bible tells us, "Righteousness EXALTS a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people."
