God sees the bullied and defends them. "The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble" (Psalm 9:9). He says, "fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings" (Isaiah 51:7), and He calls His people to speak up: "Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction" (Proverbs 31:8).
Bullying is repeated, deliberate cruelty: names and mockery, being shoved or left out, rumours, or messages online that follow you home. It happens at school, at work, in families and even in churches. People look up Bible verses about bullying when a child comes home in tears, when a teenager is being targeted online, when a teacher or youth leader wants to address it, or when an adult is being worn down by a boss or coworker. The Bible knows this pain well: Hannah was provoked year after year, David was mocked and hunted, and Nehemiah's builders were ridiculed. These twelve King James verses speak to the person being bullied, show how God sees and defends, and call all of us to stand up for others and never become a bully ourselves. For courage when you are afraid, see fear; for young people, see teenagers.
When you are being bullied
1. Psalms 109:3
"They compassed me about also with words of hatred; and fought against me without a cause."
David says he was surrounded by words of hatred and attacked without a cause. If you are being bullied, hear this clearly: it is not your fault. Bullies often pick on someone for being different, quiet, new or kind. God does not take the bully's side, and the psalms give you words to tell Him exactly how it feels.
2. 1 Samuel 1:6
"And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb."
Hannah could not have children, and her rival Peninnah used it against her, for to make her fret. It went on "year by year" (1 Samuel 1:7) until Hannah "wept, and did not eat" (1 Samuel 1:7). That is what bullying does: it is repeated, it aims at a sore spot, and it causes real harm. Hannah took her pain to God in prayer (1 Samuel 1:10), and God heard her.
3. Isaiah 51:7
"Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings."
God tells His people not to fear the reproach of men, their insults and mockery. The next verse explains why: those who mock will fade like a moth-eaten garment, but God's salvation lasts "from generation to generation" (Isaiah 51:8). A bully's words feel huge today, but they do not define you. God's word about you lasts.
4. Psalms 31:20
"Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues."
The strife of tongues is a perfect description of cyberbullying: group chats, comments and posts that never stop. God promises to hide His people in the secret of His presence. Practically, hiding can also mean stepping away from the screen, blocking, saving evidence and reporting abuse. Taking care of yourself is not weakness. See protection.
God sees and defends you
5. Psalms 9:9
"The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble."
The Hebrew word for refuge here pictures a high, safe place out of the enemy's reach. When you feel trapped at school or work, God is a safe place you can run to at any moment. He also often provides refuge through people: a parent, teacher, counselor, pastor or friend. Tell one of them.
6. Psalms 12:5
"For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him."
God sees the oppression of the poor and the sighing of the needy, and He says, now will I arise. The phrase him that puffeth at him describes the sneer of someone who looks down on another. God does not ignore it. He rises up to set the weak in safety.
7. Psalms 138:7
"Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me."
David does not pretend trouble is not there; he walks in the midst of trouble. But God revives him and stretches out His hand against the anger of his enemies. If you have to walk back into the same school or office tomorrow, pray this verse in the car or on the bus. God's right hand goes with you. See courage.
8. Psalms 72:14
"He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in his sight."
Psalm 72 is a prayer for a righteous king, and it says he will rescue the weak from deceit and violence, because precious shall their blood be in his sight. Christians see this king fulfilled in Jesus. To Him, the child who is picked on is precious, not worthless. See self-esteem.
Standing up, and not becoming a bully
9. Proverbs 31:8
"Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction."
These are the words of King Lemuel's mother, teaching her son how to lead (Proverbs 31:1). Open thy mouth for the dumb: speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. Many bullying situations change when one bystander becomes an upstander: sitting with the person left out, refusing to laugh, or telling an adult.
10. Psalms 82:4
"Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked."
In Psalm 82 God rebukes judges and rulers who protect the wicked. Deliver the poor and needy is a charge to everyone with authority: parents, teachers, coaches, managers and church leaders. When bullying is reported, the people in charge have a responsibility to act, not to look away.
11. Proverbs 3:31
"Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways."
It can be tempting to admire or join the person with power, or for someone who was bullied to start bullying others. Scripture says plainly: choose none of his ways. Popularity built on putting others down is not worth envying. Be the kind of person who makes others safe.
12. Zechariah 7:10
"And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart."
God tells His people not to oppress the vulnerable, and not even to imagine evil against his brother in your heart. Bullying begins in the heart with contempt for another person. If you have bullied someone, it is not too late: admit it, apologise, make it right where you can, and ask God to change your heart. See hate.
A short prayer
Lord, You see every unkind word and every lonely lunch table. Be a refuge for those who are being bullied today, at school, at work and online. Give them courage to tell someone, people who will stand with them, and a deep sense that they are precious in Your sight. Give me eyes to notice the one left out and courage to speak up. Where I have been unkind, forgive me and change my heart. 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.
Print our free Armor of God printable for kids · Help a child memorize Psalm 118:6 with the Scripture Memory Cards · Pray for your child each day with the 30-Day Prayer Journal
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about bullying?
The Bible does not use the word, but it condemns cruelty, mockery and oppression of the weak again and again. Jesus gave the rule that ends bullying: "as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise" (Luke 6:31). He also warned that harming a child who believes in Him is so serious that it would be better "that a millstone were hanged about his neck" (Matthew 18:6). God is always on the side of the one being hurt.
Should a Christian fight back against a bully?
Scripture tells us not to take revenge: "Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:21). But that does not mean staying silent or staying in danger. Turning the other cheek (Matthew 5:39) is about refusing revenge, not about letting abuse continue. Tell a trusted adult, report what is happening, stay near friends, and get away from danger. See revenge and love your enemy.
What is a good Bible verse for a child who is being bullied?
Short verses a child can memorise: Psalm 9:9; "The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?" (Psalm 118:6); and the promise that God "will not fail thee, nor forsake thee" (Deuteronomy 31:6). Pray it with them at bedtime. For more, see Bible verses for kids.
What if my child is the one bullying others?
Stay calm and listen first; children who bully are often hurting or copying what they see. Be clear that it must stop, set consequences, and help your child apologise and make amends. Teach and model the opposite: "be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted" (Ephesians 4:32). Ask the school to help, and consider a counselor if it continues. See parenting.
If you or a child is being bullied, tell a trusted adult, teacher or school counselor. In the US, StopBullying.gov has help for kids, parents and schools. Save screenshots of online bullying and report it to the app or platform. If you have thoughts of harming yourself, in the US call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or call 911 in an emergency.
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 kids · Teenagers · Protection · Courage · Fear · Self-esteem · Love your enemy · Revenge
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