Encouraging Bible Verses

Everyone needs encouraging bible verses at least once in a while. Bible verses of encouragement help restore a person’s strength. Whether you need them or you plan to encourage a friend with them, these uplifting bible verses are a great source of comfort and joy.

You can also find more encouraging bible verses on two related pages: Inspirational Bible verses or Motivational Bible Verses. As is the case on most pages on this site, I interject my thoughts after some verses to help those who are looking for encouraging bible verses for their own or group study. My words are in italics to try and prevent confusion. If you’re looking for encouraging bible verses for a greeting card or some other simple application, just ignore everything in italics.

Encouraging Bible Verses from Moses and Joshua

Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and courageous! Do not fear or tremble before them, for the Lord your God is the one who is going with you. He will not fail you or abandon you!” (NET)

Joshua 1:9
Be strong and brave! Don’t be afraid and don’t panic, for I, the Lord your God, am with you in all you do.” (NET)

Encouraging Bible Verses from the Psalms

Psalm 18:1-6
I love you, Lord, my source of strength!

The Lord is my high ridge, my stronghold, my deliverer.
My God is my rocky summit where I take shelter,
my shield, the horn that saves me, and my refuge.

I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise,
and I was delivered from my enemies.

The waves of death engulfed me,
the currents of chaos overwhelmed me.

The ropes of Sheol tightened around me,
the snares of death trapped me.

In my distress I called to the Lord;
I cried out to my God.

From his heavenly temple he heard my voice;
he listened to my cry for help.

Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd,
I shall not want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside still waters.

He restores my soul.
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.

Yea, 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.

You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.

You anoint my head with oil;
my cup runs over.

Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (KJV)

Editor’s Note: Psalm 23 is perhaps the most beloved passage in the bible. It is frequently read at funerals, by pastors at the bedside of hospital patients, and by anyone looking for encouraging bible verses.

Psalm 30:11-12
You turned my lament into dancing;
you removed my sackcloth and covered me with joy.

So now my heart will sing to you and not be silent;
O Lord my God, I will always give thanks to you. (NET)

Psalm 46:1
God is our strong refuge;
he is truly our helper in times of trouble.

Encouraging Bible Verses from the Prophets

Daniel 2:21
He changes times and seasons,
deposing some kings
and establishing others. (NET)

Editor’s Note: This is an encouraging bible verse because we are told that God even oversees the world’s political situations. Whether elected official or dictator, no one stands outside God’s sovereignty.

Encouraging Bible Verses from the Gospels

Matthew 11:28-30
Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke on you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and my load is not hard to carry.” (NET)

John 3:16-18
For this is the way God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world should be saved through him. The one who believes in him is not condemned." (NET)

Editor’s Note: These may be the most memorized bible verses of encouragement in all of scripture.

John 14:1-3
“Do not let your hearts be distressed. You believe in God; believe also in me. There are many dwelling places in my Father’s house. Otherwise, I would have told you, because I am going away to make ready a place for you. And if I go and make ready a place for you, I will come again and take you to be with me, so that where I am you may be too. (NET)

Encouraging Bible Verses from the NT Letters

Ephesians 3:20-21
Now to him who by the power that is working within us is able to do far beyond all that we ask or think, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (NET)

Philippians 1:6
For I am sure of this very thing, that the one who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. (NET)

Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (KJV)

Editor’s Note: The context of this verse is telling us that Paul had found the secret to being content in whatever financial situation he’s in. We should be cautious about applying this verse in too many situations.

The bible is full of bible verses of encouragement. These are of course just a few. I’ll be adding more uplifting bible verses to this page soon. But in the mean time, if you would like to read more encouraging bible verses, click here.