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Simple English definitions for legal terms
so help me God
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A quick definition of so help me God:
Term: SO HELP ME GOD
Definition: So help me God is the final phrase of a common oath. It means that the person taking the oath is asking for God's help and guidance to keep their promise. The phrase comes from an old way of administering an oath in England, where it was usually said along with other words like "So help you God, and God's holy gospels" or "So help you God and all the saints." It is a way of showing that the person taking the oath is serious and committed to keeping their word.
A more thorough explanation:
Definition: "So help me God" is the final phrase of a common oath. It is a promise to tell the truth or fulfill a duty, with the belief that God will assist in keeping that promise.
Example: In court, a witness may be asked to swear an oath by saying "I swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me God."
This example illustrates how "so help me God" is used to emphasize the importance of telling the truth, with the belief that God will assist in keeping that promise.