"The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart" (Psalm 34:18). Jesus said, "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted" (Matthew 5:4). Believers do not sorrow "as others which have no hope" (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14). God shall wipe away all tears (Revelation 21:4), and Jesus is the resurrection and the life (John 11:25-26).
Losing someone you love leaves a quiet house and a loud ache. These twelve King James passages offer comfort after the loss of a loved one—God near to the brokenhearted, hope beyond the grave, and the promise of tears wiped away. This is not a funeral-service reading list (see funeral) or a doctrine-of-death page (see death); it is companionship for grief. If you are in crisis, please get help—see the note at the end.
Near to 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 nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Nearness is the first comfort when someone you love is gone.
2. Matthew 5:4
"Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted."
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Mourning is not failure; Jesus attaches a promise to it.
3. Psalms 147:3
"He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds."
He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. Healing here is God's slow, skilled binding—not a demand to "move on" overnight.
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."
The God of all comfort... comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble. He comforts you partly so comfort can overflow to others later.
Hope beyond the grave
5. 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."
Sorrow is real, but not hopeless: if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. Grief with hope looks different.
6. John 11:25-26
"Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?"
I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. Spoken at a graveside—Jesus meets loss with Himself.
7. John 14:1-3
"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."
Let not your heart be troubled... I go to prepare a place for you. Separation is not the end of the story for those who trust Him.
8. 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."
God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying. Every Christian funeral leans toward this day.
Held when love feels torn
9. 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."
Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me. The valley is walked with a Shepherd, not alone.
10. Isaiah 25:8
"He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it."
He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces. Victory over death is God's work; tears are acknowledged, then removed.
11. Romans 8:38-39
"For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Neither death, nor life... shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Death can separate you from a loved one's voice; it cannot separate you from Christ's love.
12. 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 thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God. In the fog of loss, presence and identity still hold: I am with thee; I am thy God.
A short prayer
Father, the God of all comfort, my heart is broken for the one I have lost. Come near. Heal what is shattered, bind up my wounds, and keep me from sorrowing as those who have no hope. Hold me in the valley, and remind me that nothing can separate me from Your love in Christ. 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 verses help when you lose a loved one?
Psalm 34:18, Matthew 5:4, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14, John 11:25-26, and Revelation 21:4 are among the most-sought comforts after loss.
Where does the Bible say we do not sorrow without hope?
1 Thessalonians 4:13-14: believers do not sorrow as others who have no hope, because Jesus died and rose again.
What does "blessed are they that mourn" mean after a death?
Matthew 5:4 promises comfort to mourners. Tears are seen by God; blessing includes His comfort, not a ban on crying.
Is this page for a funeral reading?
It can help personally, but for service readings see our funeral page; for death and resurrection hope more broadly, see death and grief.
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 for a funeral · Bible verses about death · Bible verses about hope · Bible verses about a broken heart
Explore more: All Bible verses by topic · KJV Bible verses · Verse of the day · Prayers · Bible study · Bible reading plans
