Bible Verses About Strength

When you feel weak, Scripture promises a strength greater than your own. These verses about strength point to the God who sustains the weary.

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” — Philippians 4:13 (KJV)

I can do all things through Christ was written about knowing how to be abased and how to abound. The all things in context is coping with plenty and with hunger.

“He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.” — Isaiah 40:29 (KJV)

He giveth power to the faint, and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. The recipients are defined by having nothing left, not by trying harder.

“The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.” — Psalm 28:7 (KJV)

The LORD is my strength and my shield — one word for capacity, one for cover. The psalm ends in song, which David says followed the help rather than preceded it.

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” — Ephesians 6:10 (KJV)

Be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might opens the armour passage. The command is passive in form: strength is drawn rather than generated.

“It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.” — Psalm 18:32 (KJV)

It is God that girdeth me with strength — girding was tying up a robe before running or fighting. The image is of being prepared by someone else.

“Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” — 2 Corinthians 12:10 (KJV)

When I am weak, then am I strong, written after Paul lists infirmities, reproaches and distresses. The conclusion is reached in his own case, not offered as theory.

“The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him.” — Exodus 15:2 (KJV)

The LORD is my strength and song, sung on the far shore of the Red Sea. It is the oldest song in Scripture and begins with strength.

“The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.” — Habakkuk 3:19 (KJV)

Feet like hinds' feet, to walk upon high places — the image is of an animal that is sure-footed on cliffs. It closes a book that began with a complaint.

“Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;” — Colossians 1:11 (KJV)

Strengthened with all might according to his glorious power — and the stated purpose is patience and longsuffering. Strength is granted for endurance rather than for exploits.

“Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.” — 1 Chronicles 16:11 (KJV)

Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually — strength is looked for in a person. Continually rules out treating it as a one-off supply.

“Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them.” — Psalm 84:5 (KJV)

Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee, in whose heart are the ways — a pilgrim psalm about the road to Jerusalem. Strength and the journey are named together.

“In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.” — Psalm 138:3 (KJV)

Thou strengthenedst me with strength in my soul, given on the day the psalmist cried out. The strengthening is located inwardly and dated to the request.

“That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;” — Ephesians 3:16 (KJV)

Strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man — Paul is praying for people he has not met. The inner man is where he asks for reinforcement.

“Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.” — Zechariah 4:6 (KJV)

Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, said to a governor rebuilding the temple with inadequate resources. It was an answer to a practical shortage.

“The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.” — Psalm 29:11 (KJV)

The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace. The psalm has just described a storm shattering cedars, and ends here.

“Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; and as thy days, so shall thy strength be.” — Deuteronomy 33:25 (KJV)

As thy days, so shall thy strength be — supply matched to duration. Moses says it in a blessing over a tribe as he is about to die.

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Frequently asked questions

What does the Bible say about strength?

The 16 passages gathered on this page are the ones readers turn to most on strength: Philippians 4:13, Isaiah 40:29, Psalm 28:7, Ephesians 6:10, Psalm 18:32, 2 Corinthians 12:10, Exodus 15:2, Habakkuk 3:19, Colossians 1:11, 1 Chronicles 16:11, Psalm 84:5, Psalm 138:3, Ephesians 3:16…

What is a good Bible verse about strength?

Philippians 4:13 is the passage most often quoted on strength, with Isaiah 40:29 and Psalm 28:7 close behind. Which one helps depends on whether you need reassurance, instruction or simply company.

Where can I read these strength verses?

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