Joe Biden has recited the hymn, 'On Eagle's Wings' in his maiden speech in Wilmington, Delaware.

Addressing the crowd as president-elect of the United States, he said in the victory speech that the hymn captured, "the faith that sustains me and which I believe sustains America."

Fr. James Martin, a Jesuit Catholic priest took to Twitter tweeting: "Catholic explainer: 'On Eagles' Wings' is a popular Catholic hymn just mentioned by our Catholic President elect @JoeBiden as beloved by his family. (Me too.)"

During the address Mr Biden pledged to be a president "who seeks not to divide, but to unify" as he dubbed his election win a victory for "the people".

As he moved towards the end of his speech he spoke about the hymn.

"In the last days of the campaign, I've been thinking about a hymn that means a lot to me and to my family, particularly my deceased son Beau. It captures the faith that sustains me and which I believe sustains America.

And I hope it can provide some comfort and solace to the more than 230,000 families who have lost a loved one to this terrible virus this year. My heart goes out to each and every one of you. Hopefully this hymn gives you solace as well.

"And He will raise you up on eagle's wings,

Bear you on the breath of dawn,

Make you to shine like the sun,

And hold you in the palm of His Hand."

And now, together - on eagle's wings - we embark on the work that God and history have called upon us to do.

With full hearts and steady hands, with faith in America and in each other, with a love of country - and a thirst for justice - let us be the nation that we know we can be.

A nation united.

A nation strengthened.

A nation healed.

The United States of America.

God bless you.

And may God protect our troops," he ended his speech.