The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart (Psalm 34:18) and heals the broken in heart (Psalm 147:3). Isaiah 61:1 announces binding up the brokenhearted, and God dwells with the contrite and humble (Isaiah 57:15). A broken spirit is a sacrifice God will not despise (Psalm 51:17).
A broken heart in Scripture can mean crushing sadness, betrayal, or a spirit crushed by sin and sorrow. These twelve King James passages speak to heartbreak and emotional wounding—closely related to grief, yet aimed at the crushed heart itself rather than mourning a death.
God near the brokenhearted
1. Psalms 34:18
"The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit."
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those of a contrite spirit.
2. Psalms 147:3
"He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds."
He heals the broken in heart and binds up their wounds.
3. Isaiah 61:1
"The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;"
The Spirit-anointed Servant is sent to bind up the brokenhearted. Jesus applied this to His ministry (Luke 4:18).
4. Isaiah 57:15
"For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones."
The high and lofty One dwells with the contrite and humble, to revive their heart.
A crushed and honest heart
5. Psalms 51:17
"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise."
A broken and contrite heart God will not despise. Honesty before Him is welcome.
6. Psalms 69:20
"Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none."
Reproach has broken my heart; I looked for pity and found none. Scripture names heartbreak's loneliness.
7. Psalms 31:12
"I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel."
I am like a broken vessel. Heartbreak can feel like being discarded—and the psalm still cries to God.
8. Psalms 42:5
"Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance."
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? Hope in God. The psalmist redirects crushed feelings toward hope.
Comfort and repair
9. Hosea 6:1
"Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up."
He has torn, and He will heal; He has smitten, and He will bind us up.
10. Jeremiah 31:13
"Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, both young men and old together: for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow."
God promises to turn mourning into joy and comfort them from their sorrow.
11. Psalms 126:5
"They that sow in tears shall reap in joy."
They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
12. Psalms 73:26
"My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever."
Flesh and heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
A short prayer
Lord, You are near to the brokenhearted. My heart feels crushed—bind up what is wounded, revive what is contrite, and turn my mourning toward joy in Your time. Be the strength of my heart when flesh fails. 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 is the best Bible verse for a broken heart?
Psalm 34:18, Psalm 147:3, and Isaiah 61:1 are the most often shared for heartbreak.
Where does the Bible say God heals the brokenhearted?
Psalm 147:3: "He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds."
What does Psalm 34:18 mean?
It promises God's nearness and salvation to those with a broken heart and contrite spirit—He draws close when we are crushed.
Is there a difference between broken heart and grief verses?
They overlap. Grief pages often focus on mourning and loss; this page centers on a crushed or betrayed heart and God's promise to bind wounds.
This page is for spiritual encouragement and is not medical or mental-health advice. If you are struggling, please talk to a doctor, pastor, or licensed counselor. In the US you can call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
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 about grief · Bible verses about healing · Bible verses for depression · Bible verses on hope · Bible verses about God's love
Explore more: All Bible verses by topic · KJV Bible verses · Verse of the day · Prayers · Bible study · Bible reading plans
