Bible Verses About Grief — Comfort in the King James Bible
KJV scriptures of comfort for grief, loss, and mourning
Find comfort in KJV Bible verses about grief and loss. Scripture for mourning, bereavement, and finding hope after the death of a loved one.
"The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit." — Psalm 34:18 (KJV)
Grief is one of the deepest pains we experience in this life. The loss of a loved one can leave us feeling shattered and alone. Yet even in our darkest moments of mourning, God draws near to comfort us. Scripture acknowledges our sorrow while pointing us toward eternal hope. These verses offer solace for the bereaved heart.
KJV scriptures of comfort for grief, loss, and mourning
Scripture for the grieving
The Bible does not rush a grieving heart. Job sat in silence with his friends for seven days before a single word was spoken. Jesus Himself wept at the tomb of Lazarus even though He knew the resurrection was minutes away. The KJV gives the grieving a vocabulary — lament, weeping, hope of resurrection, the comfort of God — that refuses to choose between honest sorrow and steady faith.
From mourning to comfort
Verses like Psalm 34:18, Matthew 5:4, Revelation 21:4, and 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 chart the path from raw grief toward the comfort that only God can give. These passages don't deny death's pain; they place it inside a larger story that ends with God wiping every tear from our eyes. Use them slowly. Grief is not a problem to be solved but a season to be walked through, and Scripture walks with you.
If you have lost someone
Below you will find the most-quoted KJV verses for grief, a rotating daily verse for mourning, a short prayer, and links to funeral & memorial resources, healing scriptures, and devotionals on hope and eternity. You don't have to read them in order — start where you are.
"Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me."
— Psalm 51:10 (KJV)
'Create in me a clean heart' — grief sometimes brings anger, guilt, or regret. This prayer cleanses the complicated emotions loss produces.
Most-searched grief verses
Psalm 23:1
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Psalm 34:18
The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
Psalm 147:3
He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.
Psalm 34:18
The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
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.
Questions answered from Scripture
What Does the Bible Say About Grief and Loss?
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Theology & Doctrine
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Miracles & Supernatural
What Is the Gift of Healing?
Theology & Doctrine
How to Pray for Healing?
Prayer & Worship
What Does the Bible Say About Death?
Heaven & Afterlife
What Does the Bible Say About Hope?
Daily Living
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Theology & Doctrine
Verses for real-life situations
Bible Verses for the Death of a Parent
Tender KJV scriptures for grieving the death of a mother or father.
Bible Verses for the Death of a Spouse
Comforting KJV scriptures for widows and widowers grieving the death of a husban
Bible Verses for the Death of a Child
Gentle KJV scriptures for parents grieving the death of a son or daughter at any
A Hospital Stay
Scriptures to bring comfort and hope during a stay in the hospital.
Struggling with Infertility
Scriptures for couples facing infertility, offering hope and comfort from God's
Bible Verses for Funerals & Memorial Services
Comforting KJV scriptures for funerals, memorial services, sympathy cards, and t
Before Surgery
Comforting scriptures to read before going into surgery, offering peace and trus
Bible Verses for Miscarriage & Infant Loss
Tender KJV scriptures offering comfort and hope for parents grieving miscarriage
Verse collections & studies
Bible Verses About Grief and Loss
10 curated KJV verses
God Promises Comfort in Grief
Bible promises for those mourning the loss of a loved one.
Bible Verses About Comfort
10 curated KJV verses
Bible Verses About Dealing with Loss
10 curated KJV verses
Bible Verses About Emotional Healing
10 curated KJV verses
Bible Verses About the Death of a Loved One
10 curated KJV verses
God Promises to Turn Mourning into Dancing
Bible promises about God transforming seasons of grief into seasons of celebrati
Bible Verses About Death
10 curated KJV verses
Devotionals & commentary
Matthew 5:4 Commentary
In-depth study • Comfort in Grief
Psalm 147:3 Commentary
In-depth study • Healing & Comfort
Psalm 34:18 — Meaning & Devotional
Comfort
Psalm 23:4 — Meaning & Devotional
Comfort in Death
Psalm 61:2 Commentary
In-depth study • Comfort & Hope
Psalm 147:3 — Meaning & Devotional
Healing
Stories, parables & teachings
The Resurrection of Jesus
Matthew 28; Mark 16; Luke 24; John 20 • Victory Over Death
The Healing of the Blind Man
John 9:1-41 • Spiritual and Physical Sight
The Healing of Naaman
2 Kings 5:1-19 • Prophets
The Healing of the Paralytic
Mark 2:1-12 • Miracles of Jesus
The Healing of the Ten Lepers
Luke 17:11-19 • Gratitude and Faith
The Death of Moses
Deuteronomy 34:1-12 • Exodus & Wilderness
Words, places & holidays
Comfort (παράκλησις (Paraklēsis))
Encouragement, consolation, and exhortation drawn from God's presence.
Colossae in the Bible
Small Phrygian city that received Paul's letter on the supremacy of Christ over
Colossae in the Bible
The Phrygian city to which Paul wrote his letter on the supremacy of Christ.
Hope (תִּקְוָה (Tiqvah) / ἐλπίς (Elpis))
A confident expectation rooted in God's faithfulness
Death (θάνατος (thanatos))
Separation — physical, spiritual, and eternal — the consequence of sin.
Hope (Elpis) (ἐλπίς (elpis))
Confident expectation — a certain assurance of future good grounded in God's character.
10 Scriptures About Grief
Psalm 34:18
"The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit."Read in context
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."Read in context
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."Read in context
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."Read in context
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."Read in context
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."Read in context
Psalm 30:5
"For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning."Read in context
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."Read in context
Reading Plans for Grief
Go deeper with a guided KJV reading plan on grief.
Psalms of Comfort
Seven days of peace through the Psalms. Find comfort and hope in God's Word.
The Life of David
Follow David's journey from shepherd boy to king—a man after God's own heart.
Bible in a Year
Read through the entire Bible in one year with daily Old Testament, New Testament, and Psalms/Proverbs readings.
Bible Reading Plan for Grief (14 Days)
Two weeks of comfort from Scripture for those mourning a loss. Psalms, promises, and hope of resurrection.
What Does the Bible Say About Grief?
The Bible does not ask us to suppress grief — it validates it. Jesus Himself wept at the tomb of Lazarus (John 11:35), even though He knew He was about to raise His friend from the dead. Ecclesiastes 3:4 affirms there is 'a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.' Scripture acknowledges the depth of human sorrow while pointing to the God who is 'nigh unto them that are of a broken heart' (Psalm 34:18). The Bible's approach to grief is uniquely balanced: it honors our pain while offering a hope that transcends death itself.
Grieving with Hope
What sets Christian grief apart is hope. Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 4:13, '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.' This does not mean Christians should not grieve — it means our grief is infused with the promise of resurrection. Jesus declared, 'I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live' (John 11:25). This hope does not erase the pain of loss but transforms it, giving us the assurance that separation is temporary and reunion is certain for those who belong to Christ.
Walking Through the Valley of Grief
Grief is not a linear process — it ebbs and flows, sometimes hitting unexpectedly long after a loss. The Bible gives us permission to grieve at our own pace. Lean on God through prayer, even angry and questioning prayers — the Psalms are filled with raw, honest cries to God. Accept comfort from fellow believers and from God's Word. Read passages like Psalm 23, Psalm 91, and Revelation 21:4. Take care of your physical health, as grief affects the body. Be patient with yourself — healing takes time. Consider grief counseling from a Christian perspective. And hold onto the promise of Psalm 30:5: 'Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.'
A Prayer for Grief
Lord, my heart is broken. You know the depth of my sorrow and the weight of my loss. Draw near to me in this valley of grief. Comfort me with Your presence and sustain me with Your promises. Help me to grieve with the hope of resurrection — knowing that this separation is not forever. Give me strength for today and hope for tomorrow. Wipe the tears from my eyes and carry me when I cannot walk on my own. I trust You, even in this pain. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Frequently Asked Questions About Grief in the Bible
What is the best Bible verse for grief?
Psalm 34:18 is deeply comforting: 'The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.' Matthew 5:4 offers Christ's direct promise: 'Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.' Revelation 21:4, which promises no more tears or death, provides eternal hope.
Is it okay for Christians to grieve?
Absolutely. Jesus Himself wept (John 11:35). Paul instructed believers to 'weep with them that weep' (Romans 12:15). Grief is a natural, healthy response to loss. The Bible does not tell us not to grieve — it tells us not to grieve 'as others which have no hope' (1 Thessalonians 4:13). Christian grief is honest but infused with the hope of resurrection.
How can I comfort someone who is grieving?
Be present — your presence matters more than your words (Romans 12:15). Listen without trying to 'fix' their grief. Avoid platitudes and instead share genuine empathy. Offer practical help — meals, errands, childcare. Follow up in the weeks and months after the loss, as grief lasts longer than most realize. Share Scripture gently, pray with them, and remind them of God's love and the hope of eternal life.
What does the Bible say about death and the afterlife?
The Bible teaches that for believers, death is not the end but a transition to eternal life with God. Jesus said, 'In my Father's house are many mansions' (John 14:2). Paul wrote, 'To be absent from the body...present with the Lord' (2 Corinthians 5:8). Revelation 21:4 promises a future with no more tears, death, or pain. These truths provide profound comfort to those grieving the loss of a believer.
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By Bible Sundays Editorial Team · Reviewed August 27, 2026 · How we source
All Scripture on this page is quoted from the King James Version. You are welcome to quote or link to this page — please credit Bible Sundays.
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