Bible Verses About Fear

Fear is one of Scripture's most-answered struggles. These verses about fear point us to the courage that comes from trusting God's presence and power.

“But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.” — Isaiah 43:1-2 (KJV)

Addressed to a nation facing deportation, the promise is not that the waters will part but that they will not overwhelm. Presence is offered in place of exemption.

“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.” — Psalm 23:4 (KJV)

The shepherd imagery turns literal here: a rod drove off predators and a staff pulled sheep out of trouble. Comfort in the valley comes from equipment, not from the valley being short.

“The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?” — Psalm 118:6 (KJV)

A pilgrim psalm sung on the way up to Jerusalem, reducing fear to a question of sides. What man can do is not denied; it is weighed against who is already present.

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” — 1 John 4:18 (KJV)

Written to a congregation unsettled by teachers questioning their standing, the line ties fear to expected punishment. Love is described as displacing fear rather than suppressing it.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;” — Psalm 46:1-2 (KJV)

The psalm imagines the most total collapse available to the ancient imagination — mountains carried into the sea — and refuses fear even then. It sets the floor deliberately low.

“So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” — Hebrews 13:6 (KJV)

Quoted to believers who had already had property seized for their faith. The confidence is spoken aloud as a settled conclusion, not felt as a mood.

“The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.” — Proverbs 29:25 (KJV)

The proverb names fear of other people as a trap that closes around the one who fears. It is one of Scripture's most practical observations about reputation.

“He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD.” — Psalm 112:7 (KJV)

The subject is a person whose heart is fixed before the bad news arrives. It suggests fear is met by preparation rather than by reaction.

“Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.” — Isaiah 35:4 (KJV)

Spoken to people with what the prophet calls a fearful heart, promising that God comes himself rather than sending word. The remedy offered is arrival.

“Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” — Luke 12:32 (KJV)

Jesus called his followers a little flock — small, vulnerable, and knowing it. The reassurance is built on the Father's pleasure in giving, not on the flock's size.

“Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;” — Psalm 91:5 (KJV)

Night terror and the arrow by day cover both imagined and actual danger. The psalm deliberately names the hours when fear is worst.

“And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.” — 2 Kings 6:16 (KJV)

Elisha's servant woke to find the city surrounded and panicked at what he could count. The answer was not fewer enemies but a wider field of vision.

“For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” — Romans 8:15 (KJV)

Paul contrasts the spirit of slavery with adoption into a family, addressing believers who had reason to fear Rome. Fear is treated as a relationship problem before it is an emotion.

“After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.” — Genesis 15:1 (KJV)

Spoken to Abram after a military victory, when retaliation was the realistic worry. God offers himself as the shield rather than promising there will be no attack.

“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.” — Isaiah 12:2 (KJV)

A short song placed after chapters of judgment, choosing trust as a deliberate act. The phrase 'I will trust, and not be afraid' reads as a decision rather than a description.

“I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.” — Psalm 3:6 (KJV)

David wrote while fleeing his own son's rebellion, with the numbers genuinely against him. The claim is not that ten thousands are harmless but that sleep is still possible.

“As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.” — Mark 5:36 (KJV)

Said to a father the moment messengers reported his daughter had died. Jesus overhears the worst news of a man's life and answers it with a command about belief.

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Frequently asked questions

What does the Bible say about fear?

The 17 passages gathered on this page are the ones readers turn to most on fear: Isaiah 43:1-2, Psalm 23:4, Psalm 118:6, 1 John 4:18, Psalm 46:1-2, Hebrews 13:6, Proverbs 29:25, Psalm 112:7, Isaiah 35:4, Luke 12:32, Psalm 91:5, 2 Kings 6:16, Romans 8:15, Genesis 15:1, Isaiah 12:2, Psalm…

What is a good Bible verse about fear?

Isaiah 43:1-2 is the passage most often quoted on fear, with Psalm 23:4 and Psalm 118:6 close behind. Which one helps depends on whether you need reassurance, instruction or simply company.

Where can I read these fear verses?

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