Moments › Grieving
Bible Verses for Grieving the Loss of a Loved One
There are no right words for loss. But these are words many grieving people have leaned on.
Open the app: verses for feeling grieving →If you’re thinking about suicide or are in crisis, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, US) or chat at 988lifeline.org.
13 verses to read slowly
The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit.
Psalm 34:18 (WEB)Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Matthew 5:4 (WEB)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.”
Revelation 21:4 (WEB)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.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (WEB)He heals the broken in heart, and binds up their wounds.
Psalm 147:3 (WEB)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?”
John 11:25-26 (WEB)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.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 (WEB)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.
Psalm 23:4 (WEB)“Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God. Believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many homes. If it weren’t so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will receive you to myself; that where I am, you may be there also.
John 14:1-3 (WEB)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.
Romans 8:38-39 (WEB)My flesh and my heart fails, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Psalm 73:26 (WEB)Therefore you now have sorrow, but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.
John 16:22 (WEB)For his anger is but for a moment. His favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may stay for the night, but joy comes in the morning.
Psalm 30:5 (WEB)
Grief doesn't follow a schedule. It shows up in the grocery store, at the sound of a song, at the moment you reach for the phone to call them. If you're reading this, you may be in the middle of that.
The Bible doesn't hurry grief. Jesus wept at his friend's tomb, even knowing what he was about to do. Matthew 5:4 calls those who mourn "blessed," not because mourning is good, but because they will be comforted.
Psalm 34:18 says the LORD is "near to those who have a broken heart." Near. Not waiting for you to feel better first. And 1 Thessalonians 4:13 says we grieve, but not "like the rest, who have no hope." Hope and tears can live in the same heart.
Be gentle with yourself. Let people help. Say their name out loud. Love doesn't end, and neither does God's presence with you in this.