Sacred texts · Bible
29 Bible verses for comfort
Comforting Bible verses don’t ask you to stop crying. The Bible keeps a record of tears: “Jesus wept,” says John 11:35, as he goes to the tomb of his friend Lazarus. These texts speak of a God who is near the brokenhearted, who keeps our tears, and who promises a day with no more death, sorrow or pain.
This page gathers verses for grief, for hearts broken by a separation or a loss, and for comforting someone else. They are quoted word for word from the King James Version and come from the Selfia app. You can read them at a funeral, write one in a sympathy card or keep them for yourself. Grief takes time. If sorrow is crushing you or you are thinking about suicide, call or text 988 in the US, call Samaritans on 116 123 in the UK, or find a local line at findahelpline.com. Selfia is not a medical device.
Bible verses for comfort in grief
These verses walk with you through the loss of someone you love: tears wiped away, mansions prepared, a sorrow that will turn into joy. Many are read at funerals; you can also keep one with you during the first days.
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
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.
For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
The Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces.
Jesus wept.
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 ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.
Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?
To give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.
I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow.
Bible verses for a broken heart
Breakups, separation, loneliness, rejection: the Bible speaks to those losses too. “The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart,” says Psalm 34. These verses remind you that tears sown today can one day turn into songs.
The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.
I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness.
They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.
This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.
When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.
God setteth the solitary in families.
Bible verses to comfort someone
God comforts “as one whom his mother comforteth,” Isaiah says, and asks us to comfort in turn. These verses can go with a sympathy card or a message. Choose a short one and leave room for silence.
As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you.
Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.
The God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation.
I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.
Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the Lord hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted.
Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus.
Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
How to use these verses in grief
In the first days, reading is often hard. A single short verse can be enough: read it when you wake up, keep it in a pocket, say it quietly at night. You don’t need to feel anything in particular; the words can carry what you can’t put into words yourself.
For a service, choose a passage the person loved or one that fits their story, and read it slowly. For a sympathy card, a verse and one simple line are enough, such as “I’m thinking of you.” Don’t try to explain the loss: comfort starts with being there.
Frequently asked questions
What Bible verse is good for a funeral?
Several passages come up often: Psalm 23, John 14:2 (“In my Father’s house are many mansions”), Revelation 21:4 (“God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes”) and Matthew 5:4. Ecclesiastes 3:4, “A time to weep,” also suits a service. Choose a text that sounds like the person you are remembering.
What Bible verse can I write in a sympathy card?
Pick a short, gentle verse: Matthew 5:4, “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted,” or Psalm 34:18, on God being near the brokenhearted. Add a personal line without trying to explain the loss, and offer concrete help if you can.
What if grief becomes too heavy?
Grief has no schedule, but if it keeps you from sleeping, eating or living for a long time, talk to a doctor. Grief support groups can help too. If you are thinking about suicide, call or text 988 in the US, call Samaritans on 116 123 in the UK, or find a local line at findahelpline.com. Selfia is not a medical device.