Bible verses for grief
The verses people turn to most in grief are Psalm 34:18, Matthew 5:4, John 11:35, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 and Revelation 21:4. They do not hurry sorrow along. They say God is near to the brokenhearted, that mourning is not wrong, and that death is not the last word. All twelve are below in full.
These verses don't replace a doctor or counselor. If you're in crisis in the US, call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
Free to read, no account. Last updated November 9, 2026. Scripture: King James Version and World English Bible (public domain).
1.Psalm 34:18
The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
In the World English Bible
The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit.
David wrote this after a narrow escape. It says God is near, not far, to people whose hearts are broken.
2.Matthew 5:4
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
In the World English Bible
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
From the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus names those who mourn as blessed and promises they will be comforted, so grief is something seen, not something to hide.
3.Psalm 147:3
He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.
In the World English Bible
He heals the broken in heart, and binds up their wounds.
God is pictured as someone who heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. It is close, careful work, like tending an injury.
4.John 11:35
Jesus wept.
In the World English Bible
Jesus wept.
Two words, at the tomb of Lazarus. Jesus was about to raise his friend, and he still wept.
5.John 11:25-26
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
In the World English Bible
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will still live, even if he dies. Whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
Said to Martha, the sister of Lazarus, on her way to the tomb. Jesus does not argue with her grief. He says who he is and asks whether she believes it.
6.2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
In the World English Bible
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, through the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
Paul calls God the source of all comfort. It is an invitation to receive comfort first, and later, when you are ready, to pass it on.
7.1 Thessalonians 4:13-14
But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
In the World English Bible
But we don’t want you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning those who have fallen asleep, so that you don’t grieve like the rest, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.
Written to people who had lost loved ones. Paul does not tell them to stop grieving. He says not to grieve like people who have no hope.
8.Psalm 23:4
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
In the World English Bible
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
The valley of the shadow of death, and the line that matters most in it: you are with me. Often read at funerals.
9.Revelation 21:4
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.
In the World English Bible
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; neither will there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain any more. The first things have passed away.”
A promise from John's vision of the end: God wipes away every tear, and death and pain are no more. It looks ahead, and it does not pretend the tears are not here now.
10.Romans 8:38-39
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
In the World English Bible
For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from God’s love which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Paul lists everything he can think of, death included, and says none of it can separate us from God's love in Christ Jesus.
11.Psalm 56:8
Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?
In the World English Bible
You count my wanderings. You put my tears into your container. Aren’t they in your book?
David, on the run, says God keeps track of his wandering and his tears. Your crying does not go unnoticed.
12.Lamentations 3:22-23
It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
In the World English Bible
It is because of the LORD’s loving kindnesses that we are not consumed, because his mercies don’t fail. They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness.
Written from the ruins of a city, in the middle of a book of grief. The writer holds on to mercy that is new every morning.
7-day plan
When you're grieving
Seven gentle readings for a heavy season. There are no quick answers here, only honest words from Scripture and the quiet sense that you're not alone.
See the planQuestions
What Bible verse comforts those who mourn?
Matthew 5:4 is the direct answer: Jesus says those who mourn will be comforted. Psalm 34:18 says the Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 calls God the source of all comfort. Revelation 21:4 looks ahead to a day with no more tears.
What did Jesus do when his friend died?
He wept. John 11:35 is the shortest verse in most English Bibles, and it says only that Jesus wept at the tomb of his friend Lazarus. He did so shortly before calling Lazarus out alive (John 11:43-44).
Is it wrong to be angry or sad when grieving?
Scripture does not treat sorrow as a failure. The Psalms of lament, such as Psalm 13 and Psalm 88, bring questions and complaints straight to God. Psalm 56:8 pictures God keeping count of your tears, and Jesus wept at a grave (John 11:35).
Is there a reading plan for grief?
Yes. When you're grieving is a seven-day plan with a passage, a short reflection, a question and a prayer each day. It's part of a paid plan.
Which Bible translation is used here?
Each verse is printed in the King James Version and the World English Bible. Both are in the public domain, so the text appears word for word.
Keep reading
Made by Lamplight, a small Sarvixo product. Notes on each verse are ours; the verses are printed exactly as published.