Scripture blesses the gift of life and another year: This is the day which the LORD hath made (Psalm 118:24); every good gift is from above (James 1:17); the LORD bless thee and keep thee (Numbers 6:24-26); and teach us to number our days (Psalm 90:12). These verses fit birthday cards and celebrations of age.
Birthdays mark God's gift of another year of life. The Bible does not prescribe birthday parties, but it overflows with blessing, gratitude, and wisdom about our days. These twelve King James passages are ideal for cards, toasts, and thanking God for a life. For childbirth and newborn verses, see our birth page.
This is the day—blessing the year
1. Psalms 118:24
"This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."
This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. A birthday is a day God made—worth rejoicing over.
2. Numbers 6:24-26
"The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace."
The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee… and give thee peace. The priestly blessing fits any birthday prayer.
3. James 1:17
"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning."
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights. Another year of life is a good gift from Him.
4. Psalms 90:12
"So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom."
So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Birthdays invite wise numbering of days, not only cake.
Life, length of days, and joy
5. Psalms 91:16
"With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation."
With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation. God's care includes length of days and the showing of His salvation.
6. Proverbs 9:11
"For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased."
For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased. Wisdom is tied to multiplied days.
7. Psalms 16:11
"Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore."
Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
8. Psalms 23:6
"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever."
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
Wonderfully made—mercies still new
9. Psalms 139:14
"I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well."
I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
10. Lamentations 3:22-23
"It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness."
It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed… They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. A new year of life rests on morning mercies.
11. Ecclesiastes 3:1-2
"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;"
To every thing there is a season… A time to be born, and a time to die. Birthdays sit inside God's seasons for life.
12. 3 John 1:2
"Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth."
Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. A warm birthday wish rooted in Scripture.
A short prayer
Father of lights, thank You for the gift of this life and another year. Bless and keep Your child; make Your face shine upon them; teach them to number their days with wisdom; and let goodness and mercy follow them. In Jesus' name, amen.
Go deeper: a SOAP study prompt
Pick one verse above and write: - Scripture: copy the verse by hand. - Observation: what does it say? Who is speaking, to whom? - Application: what does it mean for you today? - Prayer: turn it into a two-line prayer.
New to this method? See our Bible study guide or pick a Bible reading plan.
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Frequently asked questions
What Bible verse is good for a birthday?
Psalm 118:24, Numbers 6:24-26 (the blessing), James 1:17, and Psalm 139:14 are among the most shared for birthday cards.
Does the Bible mention birthdays?
Birthdays appear in narrative (e.g. Pharaoh; Herod), but the clearer Christian practice is blessing life with Scripture on God's gifts, days, and favor—as on this page.
What is a good birthday blessing from the Bible?
Numbers 6:24-26—the LORD bless thee and keep thee—is a classic spoken blessing for any celebration of life.
How is this different from Bible verses for birth?
Birthdays celebrate another year of age. Our birth page is for childbirth and newborn baby blessings.
Sources: All Scripture quotations are from the King James Version (KJV), public domain in the United States. References were checked against the KJV text from bible-api.com.
Related: Bible verses for birth · Bible verses about life · Bible verses about gratitude · Bible verses about joy · Bible verses about family
Explore more: All Bible verses by topic · KJV Bible verses · Verse of the day · Prayers · Bible study · Bible reading plans
