137 Bible verses to find hope in the midst of loss

The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose.

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.

He heals the broken in heart, and binds up their wounds.

Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness.

“Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God. Believe also in me. Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? The words that I tell you, I speak not from myself; but the Father who lives in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me; or else believe me for the very works’ sake. Most certainly I tell you, he who believes in me, the works that I do, he will do also; and he will do greater works than these, because I am going to my Father. Whatever you will ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you will ask anything in my name, I will do it. If you love me, keep my commandments. I will pray to the Father, and he will give you another Counsellor, that he may be with you forever: the Spirit of truth, whom the world can’t receive, for it doesn’t see him and doesn’t know him. You know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans. I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world will see me no more; but you will see me. Because I live, you will live also. 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. In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. One who has my commandments and keeps them, that person is one who loves me. One who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him, and will reveal myself to him.” Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, what has happened that you are about to reveal yourself to us, and not to the world?” Jesus answered him, “If a man loves me, he will keep my word. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who doesn’t love me doesn’t keep my words. The word which you hear isn’t mine, but the Father’s who sent me. “I have said these things to you while still living with you. But the Counsellor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things, and will remind you of all that I said to you. Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, I give to you. Don’t let your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful. You heard how I told you, ‘I am going away, and I will come back to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced because I said ‘I am going to my Father;’ for the Father is greater than I. Now I have told you before it happens so that when it happens, you may believe. 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.

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope in the power of the Holy Spirit.

My flesh and my heart fails, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

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.

You count my wanderings. You put my tears into your container. Aren’t they in your book?

Be free from the love of money, content with such things as you have, for he has said, “I will in no way leave you, neither will I in any way forsake you.”

For his anger is but for a moment. His favour is for a lifetime. Weeping may stay for the night, but joy comes in the morning.

but those who wait for the LORD will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run, and not be weary. They will walk, and not faint.

This is my comfort in my affliction, for your word has revived me.

In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

casting all your worries on him, because he cares for you.

My soul, wait in silence for God alone, for my expectation is from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress. I will not be shaken.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burnt, and flame will not scorch you.

“Come to me, all you who labour 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. and said to him, “Are you he who comes, or should we look for another?” For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

I will lift up my eyes to the hills. Where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

rejoicing in hope, enduring in troubles, continuing steadfastly in prayer,

The Lord GOD’s Spirit is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the humble. He has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and release to those who are bound, I will greatly rejoice in the LORD! My soul will be joyful in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation. He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the earth produces its bud, and as the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring up, so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations. to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favour and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, to provide for those who mourn in Zion, to give to them a garland for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified.

Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth.

Please let your loving kindness be for my comfort, according to your word to your servant.

Let’s not be weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season if we don’t give up.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Cast your burden on the LORD and he will sustain you. He will never allow the righteous to be moved.

I waited patiently for the LORD. He turned to me, and heard my cry. I have not hidden your righteousness within my heart. I have declared your faithfulness and your salvation. I have not concealed your loving kindness and your truth from the great assembly. Don’t withhold your tender mercies from me, LORD. Let your loving kindness and your truth continually preserve me. For innumerable evils have surrounded me. My iniquities have overtaken me, so that I am not able to look up. They are more than the hairs of my head. My heart has failed me. Be pleased, LORD, to deliver me. Hurry to help me, LORD. Let them be disappointed and confounded together who seek after my soul to destroy it. Let them be turned backward and brought to dishonour who delight in my hurt. Let them be desolate by reason of their shame that tell me, “Aha! Aha!” Let all those who seek you rejoice and be glad in you. Let such as love your salvation say continually, “Let the LORD be exalted!” But I am poor and needy. May the Lord think about me. You are my help and my deliverer. Don’t delay, my God. He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay. He set my feet on a rock, and gave me a firm place to stand. He has put a new song in my mouth, even praise to our God. Many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.

You will keep whoever’s mind is steadfast in perfect peace, because he trusts in you.

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has punishment. He who fears is not made perfect in love.

Guide me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation. I wait for you all day long.

Let’s therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace for help in time of need.

Therefore I tell you, don’t be anxious for your life: what you will eat, or what you will drink; nor yet for your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food, and the body more than clothing? See the birds of the sky, that they don’t sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns. Your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you of much more value than they?

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.

You are my hiding place and my shield. I hope in your word.

A cheerful heart makes good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Behold, God is my salvation. I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD, the LORD, is my strength and song; and he has become my salvation.”

Trouble and anguish have taken hold of me. Your commandments are my delight.

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved in various trials, that the proof of your faith, which is more precious than gold that perishes, even though it is tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honour at the revelation of Jesus Christ—

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.

let’s hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering; for he who promised is faithful.

He gives power to the weak. He increases the strength of him who has no might.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted amongst the nations. I will be exalted in the earth.” The LORD of Armies is with us. The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. Therefore we won’t be afraid, though the earth changes, though the mountains are shaken into the heart of the seas;

What then shall we say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Those who love your law have great peace. Nothing causes them to stumble.

being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.

He will call on me, and I will answer him. I will be with him in trouble. I will deliver him, and honour him.

The LORD’s name is a strong tower: the righteous run to him, and are safe.

But you, LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, and the one who lifts up my head.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Precious in the LORD’s sight is the death of his saints.

For the mountains may depart, and the hills be removed, but my loving kindness will not depart from you, and my covenant of peace will not be removed,” says the LORD who has mercy on you.

In the day that I called, you answered me. You encouraged me with strength in my soul.

Not only this, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope doesn’t disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word.

For God didn’t give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.

Therefore don’t be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Each day’s own evil is sufficient.

But the salvation of the righteous is from the LORD. He is their stronghold in the time of trouble. Also delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. The LORD helps them and rescues them. He rescues them from the wicked and saves them, because they have taken refuge in him.

to provide for those who mourn in Zion, to give to them a garland for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified.

My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

There are many plans in a man’s heart, but the LORD’s counsel will prevail.

“Death, where is your sting? Hades, where is your victory?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Then they cry to the LORD in their trouble, and he brings them out of their distress. He makes the storm a calm, so that its waves are still. and gathered out of the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south. Then they are glad because it is calm, so he brings them to their desired haven.

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which will be revealed towards us.

The LORD is on my side. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

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.

Therefore we don’t faint, but though our outward person is decaying, yet our inward person is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is for the moment, works for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory, while we don’t look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

You have turned my mourning into dancing for me. You have removed my sackcloth, and clothed me with gladness, to the end that my heart may sing praise to you, and not be silent. LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever!

“Come to me, all you who labour and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest.

For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that through perseverance and through encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

My soul rests in God alone. My salvation is from him.

LORD, you will ordain peace for us, for you have also done all our work for us.

Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but a kind word makes it glad.

The LORD is near to all those who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Don’t be deceived. God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption. But he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Let’s not be weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season if we don’t give up.

I remember your ordinances of old, LORD, and have comforted myself.

The Lord GOD has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with words him who is weary. He awakens morning by morning, he awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught.

The LORD upholds the humble. He brings the wicked down to the ground.

Therefore let’s also, seeing we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with perseverance the race that is set before us,

Instead of your shame you will have double. Instead of dishonour, they will rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land they will possess double. Everlasting joy will be to them.

Always rejoice. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus towards you.

Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

Don’t be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

LORD my God, I cried to you, and you have healed me.

Also delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

The Lord GOD’s Spirit is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the humble. He has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and release to those who are bound,

To you, LORD, I lift up my soul. All the paths of the LORD are loving kindness and truth to such as keep his covenant and his testimonies. For your name’s sake, LORD, pardon my iniquity, for it is great. What man is he who fears the LORD? He shall instruct him in the way that he shall choose. His soul will dwell at ease. His offspring will inherit the land. The friendship of the LORD is with those who fear him. He will show them his covenant. My eyes are ever on the LORD, for he will pluck my feet out of the net. Turn to me, and have mercy on me, for I am desolate and afflicted. The troubles of my heart are enlarged. Oh bring me out of my distresses. Consider my affliction and my travail. Forgive all my sins. Consider my enemies, for they are many. They hate me with cruel hatred. My God, I have trusted in you. Don’t let me be shamed. Don’t let my enemies triumph over me.

But if we hope for that which we don’t see, we wait for it with patience.

Sing, heavens, and be joyful, earth! Break out into singing, mountains! For the LORD has comforted his people, and will have compassion on his afflicted.

The LORD will also be a high tower for the oppressed; a high tower in times of trouble.

Let’s consider how to provoke one another to love and good works, not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world: your faith.

I wait for the LORD. My soul waits. I hope in his word.

“Comfort, comfort my people,” says your God. Behold, the Lord GOD will come as a mighty one, and his arm will rule for him. Behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will gather the lambs in his arm, and carry them in his bosom. He will gently lead those who have their young. Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and marked off the sky with his span, and calculated the dust of the earth in a measuring basket, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance? Who has directed the LORD’s Spirit, or has taught him as his counsellor? Who did he take counsel with, and who instructed him, and taught him in the path of justice, and taught him knowledge, and showed him the way of understanding? Behold, the nations are like a drop in a bucket, and are regarded as a speck of dust on a balance. Behold, he lifts up the islands like a very little thing. Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, nor its animals sufficient for a burnt offering. All the nations are like nothing before him. They are regarded by him as less than nothing, and vanity. To whom then will you liken God? Or what likeness will you compare to him? A workman has cast an image, and the goldsmith overlays it with gold, and casts silver chains for it. “Speak comfortably to Jerusalem, and call out to her that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received of the LORD’s hand double for all her sins.”

I will not die, but live, and declare the LORD’s works.

The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hope of the wicked will perish.

Behold, the Lord GOD will come as a mighty one, and his arm will rule for him. Behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will gather the lambs in his arm, and carry them in his bosom. He will gently lead those who have their young.

I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.”

But may the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.

Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me.

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted amongst the nations. I will be exalted in the earth.”

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.

The LORD upholds all who fall, and raises up all those who are bowed down.

Don’t be wise in your own eyes. Fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It will be health to your body, and nourishment to your bones.

LORD, you have searched me, and you know me. even there your hand will lead me, and your right hand will hold me. If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me. The light around me will be night,” even the darkness doesn’t hide from you, but the night shines as the day. The darkness is like light to you. 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. My frame wasn’t hidden from you, when I was made in secret, woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my body. In your book they were all written, the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there were none of them. How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is their sum! If I would count them, they are more in number than the sand. When I wake up, I am still with you. If only you, God, would kill the wicked. Get away from me, you bloodthirsty men! You know my sitting down and my rising up. You perceive my thoughts from afar. For they speak against you wickedly. Your enemies take your name in vain. LORD, don’t I hate those who hate you? Am I not grieved with those who rise up against you? I hate them with perfect hatred. They have become my enemies. Search me, God, and know my heart. Try me, and know my thoughts. See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way. You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways.

Therefore don’t throw away your boldness, which has a great reward.

I have put my trust in God. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burnt, and flame will not scorch you. The animals of the field, the jackals and the ostriches, shall honour me, because I give water in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen, the people which I formed for myself, that they might declare my praise. Yet you have not called on me, Jacob; but you have been weary of me, Israel. You have not brought me any of your sheep for burnt offerings, neither have you honoured me with your sacrifices. I have not burdened you with offerings, nor wearied you with frankincense. You have bought me no sweet cane with money, nor have you filled me with the fat of your sacrifices, but you have burdened me with your sins. You have wearied me with your iniquities. I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake; and I will not remember your sins. Put me in remembrance. Let us plead together. Declare your case, that you may be justified. Your first father sinned, and your teachers have transgressed against me. Therefore I will profane the princes of the sanctuary; and I will make Jacob a curse, and Israel an insult.” For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour. I have given Egypt as your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in your place.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

I waited patiently for the LORD. He turned to me, and heard my cry.

No weapon that is formed against you will prevail; and you will condemn every tongue that rises against you in judgement. This is the heritage of the LORD’s servants, and their righteousness is of me,” says the LORD.

In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall lack nothing.

He has swallowed up death forever! The Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces. He will take the reproach of his people away from off all the earth, for the LORD has spoken it.

He will not be afraid of evil news. His heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

I have seen his ways, and will heal him. I will lead him also, and restore comforts to him and to his mourners. I create the fruit of the lips: Peace, peace, to him who is far off and to him who is near,” says the LORD; “and I will heal them.”

When the whirlwind passes, the wicked is no more; but the righteous stand firm forever.

“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you don’t forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

But I will always hope, and will add to all of your praise.

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new.

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.

to the end that my heart may sing praise to you, and not be silent. LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever!

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,

Many sorrows come to the wicked, but loving kindness shall surround him who trusts in the LORD. Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, you righteous! Shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart!

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever.

Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good work and word.

When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. In God, I praise his word. In God, I put my trust. I will not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?

For our light affliction, which is for the moment, works for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory, while we don’t look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.