23+ Bible Verses About Sadness (With Commentary)
Sadness is an inevitable part of life, and at times it can feel overwhelming. During these moments, it can be helpful to turn to the Bible for guidance and comfort.
The Bible is full of verses that acknowledge and address the feeling of sadness, providing words of encouragement and hope.
Let’s take a closer look at some of these verses and how they can bring comfort and inner peace during times of sadness.
Bible Verses About Sadness
Psalm 34:17-18
“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
This verse reminds us that even when we are experiencing sadness, God is near to us. He hears our cries and is ready to deliver us from our troubles. We can take comfort in knowing that we are not alone in our sadness, but that the Lord is right there with us, offering His comfort and support.
Psalm 42:11
“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”
In times of sadness, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed and consumed by our emotions. However, this verse reminds us to put our hope in God. He is our Savior and our source of comfort, and even in the midst of our sadness, we can choose to praise Him and trust in His goodness.
Matthew 5:4
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
This verse from the Beatitudes reminds us that God offers comfort to those who mourn. When we are feeling sadness, we can seek solace in His loving arms, knowing that He understands our pain and is ready to provide the comfort and healing that we need.
Isaiah 41:10
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
In times of sadness, it’s common to feel afraid and overwhelmed. However, this verse reminds us that we can find strength and help in God. He promises to be with us and uphold us with His righteous hand, providing the support and encouragement we need to face our sadness with hope and courage.
Psalm 30:5
“For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.”
When we are going through a season of sadness, it can feel like the sorrow will never end. However, this verse offers us hope by reminding us that joy will come in the morning. God’s favor is eternal, and He promises to turn our weeping into rejoicing. While sadness may linger for a time, we can trust in God’s faithfulness and know that brighter days are ahead.
1 Peter 5:7
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
During times of sadness, it’s natural to feel worried and anxious. However, this verse reminds us to cast our anxieties on God. He deeply cares for us and wants us to bring our burdens to Him. By entrusting our worries to Him, we can find peace and comfort in knowing that He will provide for our needs and help us navigate our sadness.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”
God is not only the source of our comfort but also calls us to be a source of comfort for others. In our own seasons of sadness, we can rely on God’s compassion and the comfort He provides. And as we experience His comfort, we are then able to extend that same comfort to others who are facing their own troubles. It is through our shared experiences of sadness that God can work to bring healing and restoration to the brokenhearted.
John 14:1
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.”
When sadness weighs heavy on our hearts, it can be difficult to maintain a sense of peace and trust. However, this verse reminds us to place our faith in God and in Jesus. As we believe in Him and His promises, we can find solace and assurance in the midst of our troubled hearts. God invites us to trust Him, even in the face of sadness, knowing that He is with us and will see us through.
Psalm 147:3
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
God is not only a God of comfort but also a God of healing. In our times of sadness, He offers to heal our broken hearts and bind up our wounds. Just as a physician tends to physical injuries, God tends to our emotional and spiritual wounds. By turning to Him in our sadness, we open ourselves up to the healing and restoration that only He can provide.
Psalm 56:8
“You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.”
This verse paints a beautiful picture of God’s care and affection for us. He is not distant or unaware of our sadness; on the contrary, He keeps track of all our sorrows and collects our tears. God sees and acknowledges our pain, and He is intimately acquainted with every detail of our sadness. We can take comfort in knowing that we are not alone, as God is fully present and engaged in our journey through sadness.
Psalm 30:11
“You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy.”
God has the power to transform our sadness into joy. As we turn to Him and invite His presence into our lives, He can take our moments of wailing and mourning and replace them with dancing and rejoicing. This verse reminds us that our sadness is not the final chapter of our story; God is capable of bringing a profound change and bringing forth joy from our pain.
Psalm 55:22
“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.”
God invites us to cast our cares and burdens on Him. In the face of sadness, we can find solace and strength by entrusting our worries to Him. As we do so, He promises to sustain us and provide the stability and security we need. Even in the midst of our trials, God remains steadfast and will never allow the righteous to be shaken.
Isaiah 61:3
“and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.”
God has a beautiful promise for those who grieve and experience sadness. He offers to exchange our ashes for a crown of beauty, our mourning for the oil of joy, and our spirit of despair for a garment of praise. This verse reminds us that God’s transformative power can take our deepest sadness and turn it into a testimony of His splendor. As we surrender our sadness to Him, God can bring forth beauty and joy from our pain.
Philippians 4:6-7
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
During times of sadness, it’s easy to be consumed by anxiety and worry. However, this verse encourages us to bring our concerns to God in prayer. By presenting our requests to Him with thanksgiving, we open ourselves up to receiving His peace, which surpasses all understanding. God’s peace acts as a guard over our hearts and minds, providing comfort and reassurance as we navigate our sadness.
Psalm 119:76
“May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant.”
God’s unfailing love is a constant source of comfort in times of sadness. This verse reminds us to rely on His love and trust in His promises. As we lean into His love, we can find the solace and assurance that we need to face our sadness. God’s love is unchanging and never fails, and we can take comfort in knowing that His love will sustain us through every season of our lives.
2 Corinthians 4:8-9
“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”
Sadness and trials are a part of life, but this verse reminds us that we are not defeated by them. Though we may face difficulties and hardships, God’s power is greater than anything we will encounter. Even in our sadness, we can trust in His strength and resolve to see us through. While we may feel pressed, perplexed, and struck down, we serve a God who will never allow us to be crushed, in despair, abandoned, or destroyed.
John 16:20
“Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.”
Jesus Himself acknowledges that we will experience sorrow and grief in this broken world. However, He also offers us hope by promising that our grief will ultimately be transformed into joy. While sadness may have its season, it does not have the final say in our lives. As we place our trust in Jesus, He can turn our mourning into dancing and fill our hearts with lasting and unshakable joy.
Romans 8:18
“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”
When sadness feels overwhelming, it can be helpful to remember that our present sufferings are temporary and pale in comparison to the glory that God has in store for us. This verse reminds us to keep an eternal perspective. While we may experience sorrow in this life, God has promised a future filled with His glory and the complete restoration of all things. Our sadness is not the end of the story, but rather a temporary chapter that will ultimately lead to something far greater.
Psalm 73:26
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
In seasons of sadness, it can feel as though our strength and hope are fading. However, this verse reminds us that even when our flesh and heart fail, God remains our strength and portion. He is our source of unwavering support and lasting provision. While we may experience weakness and despair, God is the constant anchor that holds us firm in our sorrow, reminding us that He is with us and will sustain us through it all.
Lamentations 3:32-33
“Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone.”
When we experience sadness, it’s important to remember that God does not delight in our suffering. This verse reminds us that He brings grief not out of cruelty but out of a deep love and compassion for us. His unfailing love drives Him to work through our pain to bring about restoration and growth. Even in the midst of our sorrow, we can take comfort in knowing that God’s heart is full of love and mercy towards us.
Psalm 116:1-2
“I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.”
This psalm of thanksgiving expresses gratitude and love towards God for His attentiveness to our cries and pleas for mercy. When we are sad, God hears our voices and turns His ear towards us. This verse reminds us of the intimate relationship we have with God and His willingness to listen and respond to our sadness. As we experience His faithfulness, we are called to continually call upon Him throughout our lives, knowing that He is always there to hear and comfort us.
Romans 5:3-5
“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”
This passage offers a perspective shift on our experiences of sadness. While it may be difficult to rejoice in our sufferings initially, this verse reminds us of the transformative power that they can bring. Through perseverance in the face of trials, our character is molded and refined, ultimately leading to a deep and abiding hope. As we navigate sadness, we can take comfort in knowing that God’s love is poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, enabling us to endure and find hope in the midst of our sorrows.
Psalm 91:1-2
“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
When sadness overwhelms us, we can find rest and refuge in the presence of God. This psalm invites us to dwell in God’s shelter and rest under His almighty protection. By acknowledging Him as our refuge and fortress, we put our trust in Him to provide the comfort and strength we need in times of sadness. As we lean into His presence, we can find peace and security, knowing that we are held secure in the arms of our loving Father.
Psalm 40:1-3
“I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the LORD and put their trust in him.”
When we find ourselves in the depths of sadness, God is able to lift us up and place our feet on solid ground again. This psalm speaks to the deliverance, restoration, and transformation that God brings to our lives. He rescues us from the pit of despair and fills our mouths with songs of praise. As we experience His saving grace, others will witness His work in our lives and be drawn to put their trust in Him. Our sadness can become a testimony of God’s unfailing love and faithfulness.
Psalm 42:5
“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”
In moments of sadness, our souls can feel downcast and troubled. However, this verse reminds us to put our hope in God. Our hope is not in our circumstances or our own strength, but in the One who is our Savior and God. By shifting our focus and placing our trust in Him, we can find reason to praise Him even in the midst of our sadness. God’s faithfulness and love are constant, and as we fix our eyes on Him, our spirits are lifted and our hearts are filled with praise.
What does the Bible say About Sadness?
The Bible acknowledges and addresses sadness, sorrow, and grief experienced by individuals. It offers comfort and guidance for those going through difficult times.
In various instances, figures such as David, Job, and Jeremiah expressed deep sorrow and anguish in their lives. However, the Bible also emphasizes hope, encouragement, and the promise of God’s presence during these times.
One significant verse often referenced for comfort in moments of sadness is found in the Book of Psalms: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18). This verse illustrates the idea that God is near to those who are suffering and feeling downcast, offering solace and support.
Additionally, Jesus himself experienced sorrow and grief. In the Gospel of John, Jesus weeps over the death of Lazarus, demonstrating his empathy and understanding of human sorrow (John 11:35).
The Bible encourages individuals to turn to God in prayer during times of sadness, seeking strength and peace. It also emphasizes the importance of community and supporting one another through difficult times. While sadness is a part of the human experience, the Bible offers the assurance that God can provide comfort and healing for those who are feeling distressed.
