Bible Verses About Grief: Scriptures for the Brokenhearted
Grief does not want advice; it wants company. These are the verses that have kept people company in loss for thousands of years — read them one at a time, and send one to someone who is grieving when you don't know what to say.
When Your Heart Is Broken
"The LORD is near to the brokenhearted; He saves the contrite in spirit." — Psalm 34:18 (BSB)
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." — Matthew 5:4 (BSB)
"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." — Psalm 147:3 (BSB)
"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." — Psalm 73:26 (BSB)
God Stays Close
"Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." — Isaiah 41:10 (BSB)
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you go through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched; the flames will not set you ablaze." — Isaiah 43:2 (BSB)
"The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms." — Deuteronomy 33:27 (BSB)
"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble." — Psalm 46:1 (BSB)
"Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you." — 1 Peter 5:7 (BSB)
Comfort That Carries
"Blessed be 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 have received from God." — 2 Corinthians 1:3–4 (BSB)
"This is my comfort in affliction, that Your promise has given me life." — Psalm 119:50 (BSB)
"Because of the loving devotion of the LORD we are not consumed, for His mercies never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!" — Lamentations 3:22–23 (BSB)
"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid." — John 14:27 (BSB)
Joy Will Return
"For His anger is fleeting, but His favor lasts a lifetime. Weeping may stay the night, but joy comes in the morning." — Psalm 30:5 (BSB)
"So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy." — John 16:22 (BSB)
"Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why the unease within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God." — Psalm 42:11 (BSB)
"‘He will wipe away every tear from their eyes,’ and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away." — Revelation 21:4 (BSB)
How to Use These Verses
Don't try to read them all. Choose one — Psalm 34:18 is the one most people reach for first — and let it sit for a day. Lamentations 3:22–23 is for the mornings that are hardest to face; Psalm 30:5 is for when you need permission to believe it will not always feel like this. Pray them with the prayer for grief, the prayer when grief comes in waves, or a prayer for a grieving friend when the loss belongs to someone you love. If you are writing to someone, our sympathy Bible verses include card wording; if you are preparing a service, start with the funeral Bible verses and Bible verses about death. Every translation quoted here is public domain and free to share.