Grief hits everyone differently, but it always hits hard. Whether you’re a grieving mother or father, or you’re just anyone mourning the death of someone you loved deeply, processing the end of a marriage that once held such promise, or grieving dreams that will never come to pass, the weight of loss can feel unbearable. Some days you function normally, then suddenly a song, a scent, or even just Tuesday afternoon crashes into you with fresh waves of sorrow.
What people don’t always understand about grief is that it’s not just sadness. It’s exhaustion. It’s anger. It’s confusion. It’s the strange guilt of laughing at something funny when your world has fundamentally changed. Friends mean well when they offer platitudes, but sometimes their words feel hollow against the magnitude of what you’ve lost.
But Scripture meets us in this raw, messy place. God doesn’t offer us spiritual band-aids or rush us through the process. Instead, He walks alongside us in the valley, collecting our tears and promising that this story of loss isn’t the final chapter. These verses won’t erase your pain, but they’ll remind you that even in grief, you’re not alone.
Bible Verses That Comfort Those Grieving Loss
1. Psalm 34:18 – The Lord Is Close to the Brokenhearted
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
New International Version (NIV)
2. Matthew 5:4 – Blessed Are Those Who Mourn
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
3. Revelation 21:4 – He Will Wipe Every Tear
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.
New King James Version (NKJV)
4. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 – The God of All Comfort
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others.
New Living Translation (NLT)
5. Psalm 23:4 – Even Though I Walk Through the Valley
Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me; your rod and your staff—they comfort me.
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
6. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 – We Do Not Grieve as Those Without Hope
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do 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.
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
7. John 14:1-2 – Do Not Let Your Hearts Be Troubled
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you.
King James Version (KJV)
8. Psalm 147:3 – He Heals the Brokenhearted
he heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds.
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
9. Romans 8:38-39 – Nothing Can Separate Us
I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love.
The Message (MSG)
10. Isaiah 61:3 – Beauty from Ashes
To grant [consolation and joy] to those who mourn in Zion—to give them an ornament (a garland or diadem) of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, the garment [expressive] of praise instead of a heavy, burdened, and failing spirit.
Amplified Bible (AMP)
11. Psalm 30:5 – Weeping May Last for the Night
For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime. Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.
New English Translation (NET)
12. Jeremiah 31:13 – I Will Turn Their Mourning to Joy
Then the virgin will rejoice with dancing, young men and old men together. I will turn their mourning into joy, give them consolation, and bring happiness out of grief.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
13. Psalm 56:8 – You Keep Track of All My Sorrows
You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.
Contemporary English Version (CEV)
14. 1 Peter 5:10 – After You Have Suffered a Little While
But after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who calls you to share his eternal glory in union with Christ, will himself perfect you and give you firmness, strength, and a sure foundation.
Good News Translation (GNT)
15. Isaiah 53:4 – He Took Our Sorrows
But he took our sickness on himself and carried our diseases. Yet we thought God was punishing him, that God was beating him for something he did.
New Century Version (NCV)
16. Psalm 73:26 – My Flesh and My Heart May Fail
My body and mind may fail, but God is my strength. He is mine forever.
International Standard Version (ISV)
17. Lamentations 3:22-23 – His Mercies Are New Every Morning
It is because of Adonai’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions do not fail. They are new every morning! Great is Your faithfulness.
Tree of Life Version (TLV)
18. Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 – A Time for Everything
For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.
Lexham English Bible (LEB)
19. Isaiah 66:13 – As a Mother Comforts Her Child
As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you. You will be comforted in Jerusalem.
World English Bible (WEB)
20. Psalm 116:15 – Precious in the Sight of the Lord
Precious in the sight of Jehovah Is the death of his saints.
American Standard Version (ASV)
21. Romans 8:18 – Present Sufferings Not Worth Comparing
I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
Revised Standard Version (RSV)
22. Job 14:14 – If Someone Dies, Will They Live Again?
If someone dies, will they live again? All the days of my hard service I will wait for my renewal to come.
New American Bible (NAB)
23. 1 Corinthians 15:55 – Where, O Death, Is Your Victory?
O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting?
Douay-Rheims Bible (DRB)
24. Psalm 31:9 – Have Mercy on Me, Lord
Have mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my belly.
English Revised Version (ERV)
25. Isaiah 43:2 – When You Pass Through the Waters
When thou passest through the waters, I am with thee, And through floods, they do not overflow thee, When thou goest into fire, thou art not burnt, And a flame doth not burn against thee.
Young’s Literal Translation (YLT)
26. 2 Corinthians 4:17 – Our Light and Momentary Troubles
For our momentary light affliction works for us in surpassing measure an eternal weight of glory.
Darby Translation (DARBY)
27. Hebrews 4:15 – We Have a High Priest Who Sympathizes
For we have not a High Priest unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in all points just as we have, yet without sin.
Weymouth New Testament (WNT)
28. Psalm 6:6 – I Am Worn Out from Groaning
Y am trauelid in my weilyng; Y schal waische my bed bi alle niytis, Y schal moiste my couche with my teeris.
Wycliffe Bible (WYC)
29. John 11:35 – Jesus Wept
And Iesus wept.
Geneva Bible (GNV)
30. Psalm 42:11 – Why Are You Downcast, O My Soul?
Why art thou so heauie, O my soule, and why art thou so disquieted within me? Put thy trust in God, for I wyl yet geue him thankes, which is the helpe of my countenaunce, and my God.
Bishop’s Bible
31. 1 Corinthians 15:26 – The Last Enemy to Be Destroyed
The last enemie that shalbe destroyed, is deeth.
Tyndale Bible
32. Psalm 27:13-14 – Wait for the Lord
What would have happened to me if I had not believed I would see the Lord’s goodness in this present life? Wait for the Lord’s help. Be strong and brave, and wait for the Lord’s help.
The Living Bible (TLB)
33. John 16:22 – Your Grief Will Turn to Joy
So you also have sorrow now. But I will see you again. Then your hearts will burst with joy, and no one will be able to take your joy away.
The Passion Translation (TPT)
34. Psalm 40:1-2 – He Lifted Me Out of the Pit
I waited and waited and waited for the Eternal; He bent down to hear my cry. He lifted me out of the deadly pit and off the slippery, muddy ground. He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.
The Voice Bible (VOICE)
35. 1 Corinthians 2:9 – No Eye Has Seen
But it is written, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no heart has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him.”
New International Reader’s Version (NIrV)
Our Thoughts On What the Bible Says About Grieving Loss
Scripture doesn’t sugarcoat the reality of grief. When Jesus learned of Lazarus’s death, He wept, even knowing He would raise him from the dead. This tells us something crucial: feeling deep sorrow over loss isn’t a lack of faith; it’s profoundly human and completely acceptable to God. The Bible validates our grief while offering hope that transcends our current pain.
What strikes me most about biblical comfort is how practical it is. God doesn’t just promise that everything happens for a reason or that we’ll understand someday. Instead, He promises His presence in the valley, His collection of our tears, and His commitment to working all things together for good. The comfort isn’t theoretical; it’s relational. He draws near to the brokenhearted because that’s where He’s most needed and most welcome. Our grief doesn’t disqualify us from His love; it positions us to receive it in deeper ways than we ever thought possible.
Say This Prayer
Heavenly Father, the weight of this loss feels heavier than I know how to carry. Some days I feel like I’m drowning in waves of grief that come without warning, and I’m exhausted from trying to be strong for everyone else when I feel completely broken inside.
Thank You for understanding tears and for not being uncomfortable with my sorrow. Thank You for Jesus, who wept over loss and knows exactly what this feels like. I’m grateful that You don’t rush my healing or minimize my pain, but instead You sit with me in this dark valley.
Help me to feel Your presence when grief makes everything feel empty and meaningless. Give me glimpses of hope when I can’t see past this pain. Show me how to honor my loved one’s memory while still choosing to live fully. Comfort me with the truth that love never dies and that this separation is temporary.
Surround me with people who understand that grief doesn’t follow timelines, and help me extend grace to myself on the hard days. Use this experience to make me more compassionate toward others who are hurting, and remind me that You’re writing a story bigger than this chapter of loss.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Evang. Anabelle Thompson is the founder of Believers Refuge, a Scripture-based resource that helps Christians to find biblical guidance for life’s challenges.
With over 15 years of ministry experience and a decade of dedicated Bible study, she creates content that connects believers with relevant Scripture for their daily struggles.
Her work has reached over 76,000 monthly readers (which is projected to reach 100,000 readers by the end of 2025) seeking practical faith applications, biblical encouragement, and spiritual guidance rooted in God’s Word.
She writes from personal experience, having walked through seasons of waiting, breakthrough, and spiritual growth that inform her teaching.
Evang. Thompson brings 12 years of active ministry and evangelism experience, along with over 10 years of systematic Bible study and theological research.
As a former small group leader and Sunday school teacher, she has published over 200 biblical resources and devotional studies.
She specializes in applying Scripture to everyday life challenges and regularly studies the original Hebrew and Greek texts for a deeper biblical understanding.