Bible Verses About Worry

Worry steals today's peace over tomorrow's troubles. These verses about worry call us to trust the Father who knows our needs.

“Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?” — Matthew 6:27 (KJV)

A single rhetorical question about adding a cubit to one's height, aimed at the futility rather than the sinfulness of worry. It argues from uselessness, which is often more persuasive.

“And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.” — Luke 12:22-23 (KJV)

Spoken to disciples who had left their livelihoods behind and had real reason to wonder about food. The argument moves from the greater to the lesser: life already exceeds its supplies.

“And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?” — Luke 12:25-26 (KJV)

The reasoning is scaled deliberately — if worry cannot manage the smallest thing, why entrust it with the rest. It is an appeal to consistency.

“Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.” — Matthew 6:31-32 (KJV)

The list of worries is domestic and concrete: what to eat, drink and wear. The counter-argument is that these needs are already known before they are voiced.

“Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.” — Psalm 37:1 (KJV)

The instruction is against fretting over people who prosper unjustly, which is one of worry's most durable forms. Envy and anxiety are treated here as the same problem.

“Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.” — Psalm 37:5 (KJV)

Commit is a transfer word — the way a traveller hands luggage to someone else. What follows is described as God's action, not the worrier's.

“Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.” — Psalm 37:7 (KJV)

Rest and wait patiently are commands in a psalm about watching the wrong people win. Waiting is presented as active rather than passive.

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” — Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV)

Leaning on one's own understanding is exactly what worry does: it runs scenarios. The alternative offered is not ignorance but acknowledgement in all one's ways.

“It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.” — Psalm 127:2 (KJV)

The picture is of rising early and sitting up late out of anxiety, and it is called vain. Sleep is named as something given rather than earned.

“Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.” — Matthew 6:8 (KJV)

Placed just before the Lord's Prayer, correcting the idea that prayer informs God. It reframes asking as relationship rather than notification.

“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 4:19 (KJV)

Written to a congregation that had just sent money to a prisoner and so had less themselves. The supply promised is measured by God's riches, not by their balance.

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” — Psalm 23:1 (KJV)

The claim 'I shall not want' follows from having a shepherd, not from having plenty. Provision is tied to who is responsible rather than to what is stored.

“Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.” — Matthew 10:29-31 (KJV)

Sparrows were the cheapest item at market, sold two for a farthing. The argument runs from the least valuable thing God notices to the reader.

“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.” — Psalm 121:1-2 (KJV)

The hills were where shrines stood and where bandits waited, so the question is genuinely open. The answer relocates help away from the landscape entirely.

“Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.” — Psalm 62:8 (KJV)

Pouring out the heart is given as the instruction — worry spoken rather than circled. 'At all times' removes the requirement to be composed first.

“And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” — Luke 10:41-42 (KJV)

Martha's worry was legitimate hospitality work, which is what makes the rebuke gentle rather than dismissive. She is described as troubled about many things, not about wrong things.

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” — Hebrews 4:16 (KJV)

Written to believers tempted to give up under pressure, offering access rather than advice. Boldly is the operative word for someone who feels their worry is too small to mention.

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Frequently asked questions

What does the Bible say about worry?

The 17 passages gathered on this page are the ones readers turn to most on worry: Matthew 6:27, Luke 12:22-23, Luke 12:25-26, Matthew 6:31-32, Psalm 37:1, Psalm 37:5, Psalm 37:7, Proverbs 3:5-6, Psalm 127:2, Matthew 6:8, Philippians 4:19, Psalm 23:1, Matthew 10:29-31, Psalm 121:1-2, Psalm…

What is a good Bible verse about worry?

Matthew 6:27 is the passage most often quoted on worry, with Luke 12:22-23 and Luke 12:25-26 close behind. Which one helps depends on whether you need reassurance, instruction or simply company.

Where can I read these worry verses?

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