Scripture for Grief and Loss

You might wonder, "where can I go to find Scripture for grief and loss?"

Think of all the cultures of the world, the different languages, races, ethnic backgrounds, life backgrounds, religious beliefs, as well as personalities.

One thing we all have in common…is we all grieve from time to time including the people of the Bible.

Grief is a universal human experience.

Because everybody is different, each person grieves in his/her unique way.

How one copes with grief depends on the individual. Some cope with grief in healthy ways, while others do so in an unhealthy manner.


On this page, I’d like to share with you 10 comforting Scriptures for grief and loss including from the Psalms that will help you in your time of grief.

I’ve facilitated GriefShare support groups on a number of occasions.

Some tell me they have a hard time letting go of their loved one’s belongings. Others share that they catch themselves talking to their loved ones as if they are still physically present. I’ve listened to ones who’ve described certain triggers that cause them to get emotional, as they remember their loved one.

Most members struggle around the holidays.

The Scriptures below should help on how to approach the subject of grief as a Christian.

The very words of Jesus is a good starting place in terms of scripture for grief and loss…


1. Matthew 5:4

Jesus says…"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted."

We have assurance that we will be comforted in the midst of grief.

2. 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."

Life is tough.

We’re living in challenging times.

This verse from Revelation gives us a forward-looking message of hope in the midst of grief.

3. John 11:35

“Jesus wept.”

Have you ever felt weird or embarrassed because you cried around people? Maybe you’re a man who has heard messages that “men don’t cry.”

I point out this memorable verse to show that Jesus, though He is divine and sinless, was also fully human when it came to experiences of emotion and grief while on the earth.

Listening to GriefShare videos (Link: Griefshare), I heard grief experts addressing the misunderstanding that if one cries or grieves, that person lacks faith. However, you can still demonstrate a lot of faith, while still grieving.

Here’s the perfect example of the two functioning together.


Scripture For grief and loss--from the psalms

If you notice, in the Psalms express a lot of emotion to God, and much of the language is quite negative. However, in the same passage, the one praying and pouring out his heart to God maintains an attitude of worship and thanksgiving.

1. Psalm 40:1-3

"I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me and heard my cry.
He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings."

And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD

The Psalmist was not denying that he went through a period of grief, but he then describes how God brought him out of the “horrible pit.”

Like the example in Psalm 40 above, I recall pouring out my heart to God on several occasions. I would then reaffirm my faith in the same set of sentences, and then He would fill me with His peace.

As the Psalmist stated in verse one above, he waited patiently for the Lord. The encouragement for us is that God will work things out for us according to His perfect plan.

2. Psalm 130: 1-2; 5-6

"Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O LORD. Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications……I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning."

Yes, the psalmist pours out his heart before God, but demonstrates his trust in the Lord saying he waits for Him.

3. Psalm 6:6-7;

"I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears. Mine eye is consumed because of grief; it waxeth old because of all mine enemies. …for the LORD hath heard the voice of my weeping. The LORD hath heard my supplication; the LORD will receive my prayer."

In the same set of sentences, he expresses such deep emotion and grief AND affirms his faith in God.

In Psalm 34, the author acknowledges the trials and tribulations of life that they do come, but affirms God’s closeness and care…

4. Psalm 34:18

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

Psalm 34 includes language about God hearing us in the midst of trials and delivering us. How comforting to know God is close to us and is there to deliver us! I’ve experienced this myself when I’ve faced loss in my life.

In Psalm 22, sadness is expressed that God does not (or does not seem to) hear his cries. However, in verse 22, the author’s heart is still one of praise. Also, in the rest of the Psalm, he remembered His acts of deliverance in previous generations.

5. Psalm 22:2, 22:

"O my God, I cry in the day time, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent. Verse 22 says, I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee."

In Psalm 23, David acknowledges and affirms God’s presence and comfort, as he goes through the valley of the shadow of death…

6. 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." 

In Psalm 55, note that despite the psalmist’s situation, he still affirms his faith in God.

7. Psalm 55: 2-4,16-17

"Attend unto me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise; Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked: for they cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate me. My heart is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen upon me. Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me."

Verses 16 and 17 say, as for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me. Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.

The reality is that because we are human, we will voice emotions of grief, but as Christians, we can in the same breath and sentences, affirm our faith.

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For Scripture passages on grief as well as information on coping with grief during the holidays, check out my pages below...

Dealing with Grief and Loss

Grief During the Holidays