Psalm 34:18
“The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.”
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Bible Verses About Grief
The Bible never minimizes grief. Jesus wept at Lazarus's tomb. The Psalms overflow with lament. Grief is honored in Scripture as a real, human response to real loss — and God meets the brokenhearted exactly where they are.
Matthew 5:4
“Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.”
Read verse2 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 verseRevelation 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 versePsalm 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 verseJohn 11:35
“Jesus wept.”
Read versePsalm 147:3
“He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.”
Read verse1 Thessalonians 4:13
“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.”
Read verseRomans 8:18
“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”
Read verseIsaiah 53:3
“He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.”
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Common Questions
What does the Bible say about grief?
The Bible validates grief rather than dismissing it. Psalm 34:18 says 'The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart.' Jesus himself wept (John 11:35). 2 Corinthians 1:3–4 calls God 'the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort.'
Does the Bible say it is okay to grieve?
Yes. Matthew 5:4 says 'Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.' 1 Thessalonians 4:13 tells believers not to grieve 'as others which have no hope' — implying grief itself is expected and normal, just shaped by a different horizon.
How long does the Bible say grief should last?
Scripture doesn't set a timetable for grief. Psalm 30:5 says 'weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning' — a promise of eventual comfort, not a deadline. God grieves alongside us for as long as grief lasts.
What is a good Bible verse to share with someone who is grieving?
2 Corinthians 1:3–4 is often shared: '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.' It names God's character as the source of comfort rather than offering easy answers.