43 Comforting Bible Verses About Grief
Nothing prepares us for the death of a loved one, or the hole their absence leaves in our lives. And yet the Bible can bring us so much comfort in these moments of loss and heartache. You might be surprised about how many Bible verses about grief there are, and how many promises God makes that this season will not last forever.
Unless otherwise noted, all Bible verses are from the NIV translation. To choose your preferred Bible translation, we recommend Bible Gateway.
What Does the Bible Say About Grief and Depression?
Grief and sorrow are a part of life in a fallen world that sadly touch our lives. The Bible says that depression, sorrow, and grief have their destined times, but that joy will return.
It promises that this season is temporary – and no matter how dark this moment seems – the sun will once again rise bringing with it the hope that one day our hope will be restored and our pain will be eased.
Bible Verses About Grief When You’ve Lost a Loved One
When we’ve lost a loved one, the grief and pain their absence leaves can be unbearable. In the midst of great loss we can feel so alone, but even in this place, in this moment our Heavenly Father is there.
Grief is a painful companion that can blind us to God’s presence and make us feel abandoned and yet the Bible tells us that He knows our every tear. The Word of God is filled with Bible verses about grief that can bring us comfort.
Let’s look at some of the Bible verses about grief and suffering to bring you comfort in your storm and heartache.
‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:4
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. John 14:1
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26
Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39
Bible Verses About Grief When You Are Mourning
The Bible has so much hope for us when we are enduring loss, and a broken heart. These Bible verses about grief can bring so much comfort to us. Scriptures are filled with verses meant to bring hope to the hopeless and healing to our hearts.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Matthew 5:4
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10
Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14
Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall. Psalm 55:22
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27
So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; and it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. 1 Corinthians 15:42-44
If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Romans 14:8
After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:17-18
‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:4
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. John 14:1
Who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
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Bible Verses for Comfort in Time of Loss
When my grandmother passed away these Bible verses about grief brought my family so much comfort. Thankfully for Christians we have the hope that we will see our loved ones once again in heaven.
But in the meantime their absence is greatly felt and leaves a giant hole in our lives and our hearts. These scriptures can be a balm to the soul, and heart when we are hurting. Here are some more Bible verses about grief that can bring solace.
The LORD also will be a stronghold for the oppressed, A stronghold in times of trouble; Psalm 9:9
God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1
But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3:3 NASB
For no one is cast off by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone.
Lamentations 3:31-33
My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life. Psalm 119:50
The Lord your God will go with you. He will not leave you or forget you. Deuteronomy 31:6 ICB
Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 NASB
For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you. Isaiah 54:10
He has sent Me [Jesus] to heal the brokenhearted. Luke 4:18 NKJV
Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. Luke 6:21 NRSV
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4 ESV
Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10 NKJV
You are my hiding place and my shield. I hope in your word. Psalm 119:114 ESV
Let your steadfast love comfort me according to your promise to your servant. Psalm 119:76 ESV
He heals the brokenhearted. He bandages their wounds. Psalm 147:3 ICB
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4 NIV
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted. He saves those whose spirits have been crushed. Psalm 34:18 NRSV
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death, sadness, crying, or pain. All the old ways are gone. Revelation 21:4 ICB
So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. John 16:22
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
How These Bible Verses About Grief Bring You Comfort
Focusing on the hope and promises that these Bible verses about grief can bring much comfort.
One way to use these verses is simply reading them; try reading them aloud when you are needing relief. Use a journal and write these verses down.
There is something special about writing down these Bible verses when we are hurting and in desperate need of hope in the midst of a storm.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™
