Bible verses about rest
Matthew 11:28-30, Mark 6:31 and Psalm 62:1-2 are the Bible verses about rest that people search for most. Jesus invites tired people to come, then tells his friends to step away for a while. All twelve are below in full.
Free to read, no account. Last updated November 9, 2026. Scripture: King James Version and World English Bible (public domain).
1.Matthew 11:28-30
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
In the World English Bible
“Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Jesus invites anyone worn out and carrying too much. Notice that he offers a lighter load, not an empty one.
2.Mark 6:31
And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.
In the World English Bible
He said to them, “Come away into a deserted place, and rest awhile.” For there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.
Busy enough to skip meals, the disciples get told by Jesus to come away and rest a bit.
3.Psalm 62:1-2
Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved.
In the World English Bible
My soul rests in God alone. My salvation is from him. He alone is my rock, my salvation, and my fortress. I will never be greatly shaken.
His soul waits quietly for God alone, the writer says. Rest here comes from where he puts his trust.
4.Psalm 4:8
I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.
In the World English Bible
In peace I will both lay myself down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me live in safety.
An evening prayer. The writer says he can lie down and sleep because the Lord keeps him safe.
5.Psalm 116:7
Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee.
In the World English Bible
Return to your rest, my soul, for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.
Talking to himself, the psalmist tells his own soul to go back to its rest. People do that.
6.Exodus 33:14
And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.
In the World English Bible
He said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
God tells Moses his presence will go with him and give him rest. It's a promise attached to a hard assignment.
7.Hebrews 4:9-11
There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
In the World English Bible
There remains therefore a Sabbath rest for the people of God. For he who has entered into his rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from his. Let’s therefore give diligence to enter into that rest, lest anyone fall after the same example of disobedience.
A Sabbath rest remains for God's people, the writer says, and he urges readers to enter it.
8.Exodus 20:8-10
Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:
In the World English Bible
“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. You shall labor six days, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. You shall not do any work in it, you, nor your son, nor your daughter, your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your livestock, nor your stranger who is within your gates;
One day in seven is set apart, for the whole household, including servants and animals. This is the Sabbath command.
9.Isaiah 30:15
For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not.
In the World English Bible
For thus said the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, “You will be saved in returning and rest. Your strength will be in quietness and in confidence.” You refused,
God tells a restless people that quiet and trust would have been their strength. They didn't want it.
10.Proverbs 3:24
When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
In the World English Bible
When you lie down, you will not be afraid. Yes, you will lie down, and your sleep will be sweet.
Sleep is described as sweet when you lie down without fear. A small, practical verse.
11.Genesis 2:2-3
And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.
In the World English Bible
On the seventh day God finished his work which he had done; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had done. God blessed the seventh day, and made it holy, because he rested in it from all his work of creation which he had done.
On the seventh day God rested and blessed it. Rest is built into the first story.
12.Mark 2:27
And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:
In the World English Bible
He said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.
Jesus says the Sabbath was made for people, not people for the Sabbath. Rest is a gift, not a test.
7-day plan
When you're worn out
Seven gentle readings for tired and stretched people, about where strength comes from, and about rest and asking for help.
See the planFree
Get one verse every morning
Today's verse, a short reflection and a prayer. Free, no account.
Read today's verseQuestions
What is a good Bible verse about rest?
Matthew 11:28-30 is a good place to start. Jesus invites anyone worn out and carrying too much. Notice that he offers a lighter load, not an empty one.
What does the Bible say about taking a break?
Mark 6:31 is Jesus telling busy friends to come away and rest. Genesis 2:2-3 and Exodus 20:8-10 set the pattern of one day set apart. Mark 2:27 says that day was made for the good of people.
What Bible verse can I read before sleep?
Psalm 4:8 is the classic, and Proverbs 3:24 is a close second. Psalm 62:1-2 works if your mind is still going. If sleep problems last, a doctor is worth a call.
Related topics
Made by Lamplight, a small Sarvixo product. Notes on each verse are ours, written with AI tools and checked against the passage. The verses are printed exactly as published.