And here is the Asimov article I misremembered. (Or not, I read it in Reader's Digest, and the recollection of his defence of the slighted 3rd stanza is VERY strong).
http://www.purewatergazette.net/asimov.htm
Although nominally an atheist, he had a religious devotion to the SSB, it seems. I can't say I blame him, either. Anti-patriot that I am, the SSB is still my second-favourite anthem, after La Marseillaise.