There isn’t one universally agreed count, but one published list says 65 national anthems make a reference to God or include a prayer-like appeal.

Why the number varies

Different counts depend on what gets included:

  • Direct mentions of “God.”
  • References to divine protection, blessing, or a higher power.
  • Older verses that exist but are not commonly sung.

Practical takeaway

If you mean explicit references in the commonly recognized anthem text , the answer is often reported in the dozens , with 65 being one cited figure from a recent compilation.

Example

Some well-known anthems with such references include Canada’s “God keep our land glorious and free” and New Zealand’s “God Defend New Zealand.”

Note

Because anthem texts, official versions, and translations differ, any exact total should be treated as a counted estimate rather than a permanent fact.

TL;DR: A recent compilation says 65 national anthems reference God, but the exact count depends on how “reference” is defined.