Bible Verses About Comfort

God is the source of all comfort. These verses about comfort bring the nearness of God to the hurting and weary.

“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.” — 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (KJV)

Paul had just described despairing even of life, which is what makes the title God of all comfort more than a formula. Comfort received is described as equipment for comforting others.

“This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.” — Psalm 119:50 (KJV)

The comfort named is a word that gave life during affliction, not the ending of the affliction. It locates consolation in something said rather than something fixed.

“As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem.” — Isaiah 66:13 (KJV)

God compares himself to a mother comforting her child, which is among the tenderest images in the prophets. The comparison was written to people returning from exile to ruins.

“I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass;” — Isaiah 51:12 (KJV)

The emphatic repetition — I, even I — answers people afraid of a mortal king. Comfort here works by resizing the thing feared.

“Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.” — 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 (KJV)

A prayer that hearts be comforted and established, in a letter correcting panic about the end times. Comfort and steadiness are asked for together.

“Shew me a token for good; that they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed: because thou, LORD, hast holpen me, and comforted me.” — Psalm 86:17 (KJV)

David asks for a visible token so that those who hate him will see it, which is an unusually blunt request. He wants comfort that others can also observe.

“Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.” — Isaiah 40:1 (KJV)

The doubled command — comfort ye, comfort ye — opens a new section after chapters of judgment. It is an instruction given to messengers, making comfort someone's assignment.

“Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side.” — Psalm 71:21 (KJV)

The prayer is for increased greatness and comfort on every side, prayed by someone growing old. Comfort is requested as coverage rather than as a moment.

“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;” — John 14:16 (KJV)

Jesus promises another Comforter who will abide for ever, in the same conversation where he announces he is leaving. The word implies one called alongside, not merely a consoler.

“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” — Romans 15:4 (KJV)

The Scriptures are described as written for our learning so that through patience and comfort we might have hope. Comfort is treated as something to read for, deliberately.

“Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the LORD hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted.” — Isaiah 49:13 (KJV)

Creation is called to sing because God has comforted his people and will have mercy on the afflicted. Consolation is set at cosmic scale rather than private.

“Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;” — 2 Corinthians 7:6 (KJV)

God is described as comforting those cast down, and the means named is the arrival of a friend named Titus. The comfort is theological and entirely practical at once.

“Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, both young men and old together: for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow.” — Jeremiah 31:13 (KJV)

The promise turns mourning into joy and includes comforting them and making them rejoice from their sorrow. The preposition matters — joy comes out of the sorrow, not instead of it.

“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.” — Psalm 138:7 (KJV)

Walking in the midst of trouble is assumed rather than avoided, with revival promised inside it. The verse concedes the location before it promises anything.

“I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” — Psalm 27:13-14 (KJV)

The psalmist admits he would have fainted without belief that he would see God's goodness in the land of the living. The instruction to wait is repeated, as though once was not enough.

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” — Matthew 11:29 (KJV)

The yoke offered is described as his own, learned by walking beside him. Rest is promised to the soul specifically, which is where exhaustion outlasts sleep.

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Frequently asked questions

What does the Bible say about comfort?

The 16 passages gathered on this page are the ones readers turn to most on comfort: 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, Psalm 119:50, Isaiah 66:13, Isaiah 51:12, 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17, Psalm 86:17, Isaiah 40:1, Psalm 71:21, John 14:16, Romans 15:4, Isaiah 49:13, 2 Corinthians 7:6, Jeremiah 31:13…

What is a good Bible verse about comfort?

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 is the passage most often quoted on comfort, with Psalm 119:50 and Isaiah 66:13 close behind. Which one helps depends on whether you need reassurance, instruction or simply company.

Where can I read these comfort verses?

You can read all of these verses about comfort — and the whole Bible, offline, in your preferred translation — free in the Quiethaven app for iPhone.