Bible verses about self-worth
Bible verses about self-worth include Psalm 139:13-14, which says you were made with care, Matthew 10:29-31, where Jesus says you are worth more than many sparrows, and 1 Peter 2:9, which gives believers a list of titles. These verses speak of being made, known and valued. All twelve are below.
Free to read, no account. Last updated November 9, 2026. Scripture: King James Version and World English Bible (public domain).
1.Psalm 139:13-14
For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
In the World English Bible
For you formed my inmost being. You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful. My soul knows that very well.
David marvels at how he was put together. Being made carefully is the starting point here.
2.Genesis 1:27
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
In the World English Bible
God created man in his own image. In God’s image he created him; male and female he created them.
People are described as made in God's image, male and female. Worth is given here, not earned.
3.Psalm 8:3-5
When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.
In the World English Bible
When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have ordained, what is man, that you think of him? What is the son of man, that you care for him? For you have made him a little lower than the angels, and crowned him with glory and honor.
David looks at the night sky and wonders why God pays any attention to people. Then he notes they are given real dignity.
4.Matthew 10:29-31
Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
In the World English Bible
“Aren’t two sparrows sold for an assarion coin? Not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Therefore don’t be afraid. You are of more value than many sparrows.
Sparrows sold for pennies, and Jesus says none falls unnoticed. You're worth more than many of them.
5.Isaiah 43:1
But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.
In the World English Bible
But now the LORD who created you, Jacob, and he who formed you, Israel, says: “Don’t be afraid, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by your name. You are mine.
God speaks to Israel by name and says they belong to him. Being known by name is the point.
6.Isaiah 43:4
Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.
In the World English Bible
Since you have been precious and honored in my sight, and I have loved you, therefore I will give people in your place, and nations instead of your life.
Precious, honored, loved are the words used. Spoken to a whole nation, though many readers take it personally.
7.1 Samuel 16:7
But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.
In the World English Bible
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Don’t look on his face, or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for I don’t see as man sees. For man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
Samuel is told that people look at appearance while God looks at the heart. David was picked while his brothers were passed over.
8.1 Peter 2:9
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
In the World English Bible
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
Peter piles up titles for his readers: chosen, royal, holy, belonging to God. Identity is handed to them.
9.1 John 3:1
Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
In the World English Bible
See how great a love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God! For this cause the world doesn’t know us, because it didn’t know him.
John marvels at being called a child of God. The love behind it is called great.
10.Jeremiah 1:5
Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
In the World English Bible
“Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Before you were born, I sanctified you. I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.”
God tells the young Jeremiah he was known before birth. Said about a calling, and often read as being about worth too.
11.Galatians 3:26-28
For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
In the World English Bible
For you are all children of God, through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Paul says everyone in Christ is a child of God, with no ranking by background, status or gender. Worth isn't scored here.
12.John 1:12
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
In the World English Bible
But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become God’s children, to those who believe in his name:
Those who receive Jesus are given the right to be called God's children. A status, not a grade.
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Read today's verseQuestions
What is a good Bible verse about self-worth?
Psalm 139:13-14 is a good place to start. David marvels at how he was put together. Being made carefully is the starting point here.
What does the Bible say about low self-esteem?
The Bible does not use that phrase, but many verses speak to the same ache. Psalm 139:13-14 and Isaiah 43:4 talk about being valued and known. 1 Samuel 16:7 says people judge by appearance while God looks at the heart, which many readers take as a reset on how to measure themselves.
Is it wrong to love yourself?
Mark 12:31 gives the second great command as loving your neighbor as yourself, which assumes a person already looks after themselves. The Bible also warns against pride, in Proverbs 16:18 for one. Healthy self-respect and pride are treated as different things.
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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.