
Encouraging Bible Verses
50 scriptures of comfort, hope, and strength from the King James Bible -- God's promises for hard times, grief, anxiety, and every season of trial.
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Verses
8
Themes
KJV
Translation
19
Books
Why We Need Encouraging Bible Verses
Every believer faces seasons of trial, grief, and anxiety when the weight of the world feels overwhelming. In those moments, encouraging Bible verses become an anchor for the soul. Christians have turned to comforting Bible passages for centuries -- not as mere motivational slogans, but as the living words of a God who promises to be present in every hardship. When we open the Scriptures in search of hope, we find a God who speaks directly to our fear, our weariness, and our doubt.
The book of Psalms stands as the most encouraging book in the entire Bible. David and the other psalmists pour out raw emotion -- despair, loneliness, anger, grief -- and yet consistently return to declarations of trust in God's faithfulness. Psalm 34:18 assures us that the Lord is near to the brokenhearted. Psalm 46:1 proclaims Him a very present help in trouble. These are not empty words; they are the tested testimonies of men and women who walked through fire and flood and found God sufficient. The prophets echo this encouragement: Isaiah's repeated command to “fear not” (Isaiah 41:10, 13; 43:2) and Jeremiah's promise of an expected end (Jeremiah 29:11) have carried God's people through exile, persecution, and loss.
Scripture also teaches that encouragement is itself a spiritual gift. Romans 12:8 lists exhortation among the gifts given by the Holy Spirit for the building up of the church. God intends for His Word to be shared -- spoken aloud, written in letters, memorized and recalled in the dark hours. The 50 verses for hard times gathered below cover the core themes of biblical encouragement: comfort in suffering, hope for the future, strength in weakness, perseverance through trials, God's unbreakable promises, overcoming fear, and the peace that surpasses all understanding. Each verse is presented in the King James Version and links to a full study page with cross-references, commentary, and original language insights.
Browse by Theme
- 1Isaiah 41:10Courage
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”
- 2Philippians 4:13Strength
“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
- 3Joshua 1:9Courage
“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”
- 4Deuteronomy 31:6Courage
“Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”
- 5Romans 8:28God's Promises
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
- 6Psalm 23:1Comfort
“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
- 7Psalm 46:1Strength
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
- 8Isaiah 40:31Perseverance
“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”
- 92 Timothy 1:7Overcoming Fear
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
- 10Jeremiah 29:11Hope
“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.”
- 11Matthew 11:28Comfort
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
- 12John 16:33Peace
“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
- 13Romans 15:13Hope
“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.”
- 141 Peter 5:7Comfort
“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”
- 15Psalm 27:1Overcoming Fear
“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”
- 16Psalm 34:18Comfort
“The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.”
- 17Isaiah 43:2God's Promises
“When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.”
- 182 Corinthians 12:9Strength
“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
- 19Psalm 55:22Comfort
“Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.”
- 20Nahum 1:7God's Promises
“The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.”
- 21Romans 8:31Courage
“What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?”
- 22Psalm 121:1–2Hope
“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.”
- 23Hebrews 13:5–6God's Promises
“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”
- 24Isaiah 41:13Overcoming Fear
“For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.”
- 25Psalm 46:10Peace
“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.”
- 26Matthew 6:34Peace
“Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”
- 27Philippians 4:6–7Peace
“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
- 282 Thessalonians 3:3God's Promises
“But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.”
- 29Psalm 94:19Comfort
“In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.”
- 30Isaiah 35:4Overcoming Fear
“Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.”
- 31Psalm 23:4Comfort
“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.”
- 322 Corinthians 4:16–17Perseverance
“For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”
- 33Romans 12:12Perseverance
“Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer.”
- 34Psalm 56:3Overcoming Fear
“What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.”
- 35Psalm 118:6Overcoming Fear
“The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?”
- 36James 1:2–3Perseverance
“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.”
- 371 Chronicles 16:11Strength
“Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.”
- 38Psalm 31:24Hope
“Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.”
- 39Psalm 138:7God's Promises
“Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.”
- 40Zephaniah 3:17Comfort
“The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.”
- 41
“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.”
- 42Psalm 9:9–10God's Promises
“The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.”
- 43Psalm 46:5Strength
“God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.”
- 44Isaiah 54:17God's Promises
“No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.”
- 45Psalm 73:26Strength
“My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.”
- 46Romans 8:38–39God's Promises
“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.”
- 47Deuteronomy 31:8Courage
“And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.”
- 48Psalm 147:3Comfort
“He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.”
- 49Isaiah 40:29Strength
“He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.”
- 50John 14:27Peace
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
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Take a Quiz NowEncouraging Verses by Testament
Old Testament(32 verses)
- Isaiah 41:10-- Isaiah
- Joshua 1:9-- Joshua
- Deuteronomy 31:6-- Deuteronomy
- Psalm 23:1-- Psalms
- Psalm 46:1-- Psalms
- Isaiah 40:31-- Isaiah
- Jeremiah 29:11-- Jeremiah
- Psalm 27:1-- Psalms
- Psalm 34:18-- Psalms
- Isaiah 43:2-- Isaiah
- Psalm 55:22-- Psalms
- Nahum 1:7-- Nahum
- Psalm 121:1–2-- Psalms
- Isaiah 41:13-- Isaiah
- Psalm 46:10-- Psalms
- Psalm 94:19-- Psalms
- Isaiah 35:4-- Isaiah
- Psalm 23:4-- Psalms
- Psalm 56:3-- Psalms
- Psalm 118:6-- Psalms
- 1 Chronicles 16:11-- 1 Chronicles
- Psalm 31:24-- Psalms
- Psalm 138:7-- Psalms
- Zephaniah 3:17-- Zephaniah
- Lamentations 3:22–23-- Lamentations
- Psalm 9:9–10-- Psalms
- Psalm 46:5-- Psalms
- Isaiah 54:17-- Isaiah
- Psalm 73:26-- Psalms
- Deuteronomy 31:8-- Deuteronomy
- Psalm 147:3-- Psalms
- Isaiah 40:29-- Isaiah
New Testament(18 verses)
- Philippians 4:13-- Philippians
- Romans 8:28-- Romans
- 2 Timothy 1:7-- 2 Timothy
- Matthew 11:28-- Matthew
- John 16:33-- John
- Romans 15:13-- Romans
- 1 Peter 5:7-- 1 Peter
- 2 Corinthians 12:9-- 2 Corinthians
- Romans 8:31-- Romans
- Hebrews 13:5–6-- Hebrews
- Matthew 6:34-- Matthew
- Philippians 4:6–7-- Philippians
- 2 Thessalonians 3:3-- 2 Thessalonians
- 2 Corinthians 4:16–17-- 2 Corinthians
- Romans 12:12-- Romans
- James 1:2–3-- James
- Romans 8:38–39-- Romans
- John 14:27-- John
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most encouraging Bible verses?
The most encouraging Bible verses include Isaiah 41:10 (“Fear thou not; for I am with thee”), Philippians 4:13 (“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me”), Joshua 1:9 (“Be strong and of a good courage”), Romans 8:28 (“All things work together for good to them that love God”), and Psalm 46:1 (“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble”). These passages remind believers that God is present, faithful, and sufficient in every circumstance.
What Bible verse is best for hard times?
Isaiah 41:10 is widely regarded as one of the best Bible verses for hard times: “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” Other verses frequently turned to during trials include Psalm 23:4, 2 Corinthians 4:16–17, Romans 8:28, and Matthew 11:28, each offering assurance of God's presence and provision through suffering.
What does the Bible say about encouragement?
The Bible presents encouragement as both a command and a spiritual gift. Romans 12:8 lists exhortation (encouragement) among the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Hebrews 3:13 instructs believers to “exhort one another daily.” David encouraged himself in the Lord (1 Samuel 30:6), and the Psalms model honest lament that always returns to trust. Throughout Scripture, God repeatedly tells His people to “fear not” and “be of good courage,” grounding encouragement in His unchanging character and promises.
Where in the Bible does it say do not be discouraged?
The command not to be discouraged appears throughout Scripture. Deuteronomy 31:8 says, “Fear not, neither be dismayed.” Joshua 1:9 commands, “Be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” Isaiah 41:10 declares, “Be not dismayed; for I am thy God.” 2 Chronicles 20:15 adds, “Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's.” The consistent message is that discouragement is overcome by trusting in God's presence and power.
What Psalm is for encouragement?
Several Psalms are especially known for encouragement. Psalm 23 (“The LORD is my shepherd”) is perhaps the most beloved psalm of comfort. Psalm 27 declares confidence in God as “my light and my salvation.” Psalm 46 proclaims God as “our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 121 lifts the eyes to the Lord as the source of all help. Psalm 34:18 promises that “the LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart.” The book of Psalms as a whole is the most encouraging book in the Bible, covering every human emotion and consistently pointing back to God's faithfulness.
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