By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON 

A freshman senator seeking to stir the pot against President Barack Obama using the Bible should dig deeper into the holy text when weighing an apology, the White House responded Friday.

Speaking to a gathering of right-wing Christians, Georgia Sen. David Perdue said: “We should pray for him like Psalms 109:8 says: Let his days be few, and let another have his office."

The verse continues: “Let his children be fatherless, And his wife a widow. Let his children continually be vagabonds, and beg; Let them seek their bread also from their desolate places."

The text is referring to an enemy of King David.

The comments have drawn criticism with Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid's spokesman, Adam Jentleson, Tweeting: "Republican Senator David Perdue is praying for President Obama to die. This is why Trump is the GOP nominee."

Asked about the comments, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said, "As Senator Perdue considers whether or not an apology is appropriate, there are a variety of other scripture he might consult."

Citing the biblical verse has apparently been something of a trend among hardline conservative Christians.

A 2009 article by the Christian Science Monitor found "Pray for Obama: Psalm 109:8" to be popular on car bumper stickers and the Internet.