The Bible meets grief with God's nearness: He is "nigh unto them that are of a broken heart" (Psalm 34:18), Jesus wept at a friend's tomb (John 11:35), and He promises to wipe away every tear (Revelation 21:4). Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted (Matthew 5:4).
Scripture does not rush past sorrow. It names tears, broken hearts, and the hope of resurrection. These twelve King James passages are for those walking through loss.
God is 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."
God is near to the brokenhearted and saves those with a crushed spirit. Grief does not mean God has stepped away.
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. Healing is God's work; it may take time.
3. Matthew 5:4
"Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted."
Jesus blesses mourners with a promise: they shall be comforted. Mourning is not a failure of faith.
4. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
"Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God."
God is the Father of mercies and God of all comfort. He comforts us so we can comfort others in their trouble.
Jesus knows sorrow
5. John 11:35
"Jesus wept."
"Jesus wept" at Lazarus's tomb. The shortest verse in many English Bibles shows God-with-us sharing human grief.
6. Isaiah 53:3-4
"He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted."
The Suffering Servant is a man of sorrows who carried our griefs. Christians see this fulfilled in Jesus.
7. Psalms 23:4
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me."
Even in the valley of the shadow of death, the shepherd's presence removes the need to fear. His rod and staff comfort.
8. Psalms 30:5
"For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning."
Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. The psalm gives permission for night-long tears and hope for dawn.
Hope beyond the grave
9. Revelation 21:4
"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away."
In the new creation God will wipe away all tears; death, sorrow, and pain will pass away. Grief is not the final word.
10. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14
"But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him."
Believers grieve, but not "as others which have no hope." Those who sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him.
11. Isaiah 41:10
"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."
Fear not: God is with you, and He will strengthen, help, and uphold. Presence answers the loneliness of loss.
A short prayer
Father of mercies, my heart is heavy. Come near to the brokenhearted. Hold me in this valley, wipe my tears in Your time, and give me hope that is stronger than death. Comfort me so I can one day comfort others. 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.
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Frequently asked questions
What is a good Bible verse for grief?
Psalm 34:18, Matthew 5:4, Revelation 21:4, and Psalm 23:4 are often shared with those who mourn.
Where does the Bible say "Jesus wept"?
John 11:35, at the tomb of Lazarus.
Does the Bible say not to grieve?
No. 1 Thessalonians 4:13 says believers grieve, but not without hope. Jesus Himself wept, and He blesses those who mourn (Matthew 5:4).
What Bible verse promises God will wipe away tears?
Revelation 21:4.
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 death · Bible verses about peace · Bible verses about hope · Bible verses about strength · Bible verses about God's love
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