What does the Bible say about mourning?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that mourning is a real sorrow in a fallen world, yet God draws near to His grieving people, comforts them, and gives them sure hope in Christ. Jesus blesses those who mourn, promising comfort, and the Psalms testify that the Lord is near to the brokenhearted and heals their wounds (Matthew 5:4; Psalms 34:18; 147:3). Believers grieve, but not without hope, because Jesus is the resurrection and the life (1 Thessalonians 4:13; John 11:25-26). God is the Father of mercies who comforts us so that we may comfort others (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). In the end, He will wipe away every tear and abolish death, sorrow, and pain (Revelation 21:4).
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Matthew 5:4
Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.
- Revelation 21:4
He will wipe away from them every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; neither will there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more. The first things have passed away."
- Psalms 34:18
Yahweh is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves those who have a crushed spirit.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:13
But we don't want you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning those who have fallen asleep, so that you don't grieve like the rest, who have no hope.
- John 11:25-26
[25] Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me, though he die, yet will he live. [26] Whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"
- Psalms 147:3
He heals the broken in heart, And binds up their wounds.
- 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
[3] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; [4] who comforts us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, through the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
- Isaiah 61:2-3
[2] to proclaim the year of Yahweh's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; [3] to appoint to those who mourn in Zion, to give to them a garland for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of Yahweh, that he may be glorified.
- Isaiah 41:10
Don't you be afraid, for I am with you; don't be dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you; yes, I will help you; yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness.
- Psalms 73:26
My flesh and my heart fails, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Study outline
Curated topical outlines from classic public-domain study works.
Nave's Topical Bible
- For the dead
- Head uncovered Leviticus 10:6; Leviticus 21:10
- Lying on the ground 2 Samuel 12:16
- Personal appearance neglected 2 Samuel 14:2
- Cutting the flesh Leviticus 19:28; Leviticus 21:1-5; Deuteronomy 14:1; Jeremiah 16:6; Jeremiah 16:7; Jeremiah 41:5
- Lamentations Genesis 50:10; Exodus 12:30; 1 Samuel 30:4; Jeremiah 22:18; Matthew 2:17; Matthew 2:18
- Fasting 1 Samuel 31:13; 2 Samuel 1:12; 2 Samuel 3:35
- Priests prohibited, except for the nearest of kin Leviticus 21:1-11
- For Nadab and Abihu forbidden Leviticus 10:6
- Sexes separated in Zechariah 12:12; Zechariah 12:14
- Hired mourners 2 Chronicles 35:25; Ecclesiastes 12:5; Jeremiah 9:17; Matthew 9:23
- Abraham mourned for Sarah Genesis 23:2
- The Egyptians mourned for Jacob for seventy days Genesis 50:1-3
- The Israelites mourned for Aaron for thirty days Numbers 20:29
- David’s lamentations over
- The death of Saul and his sons 2 Samuel 1:17-27
- The death of Abner 2 Samuel 3:33; 2 Samuel 3:34
- The death of Absalom 2 Samuel 18:33
- Jeremiah and the singing men and singing women lament for Josiah 2 Chronicles 35:25
- For calamities and other sorrows
- Ripping the garments Genesis 37:29; Genesis 37:34; Genesis 44:13; Numbers 14:6; Judges 11:35; 2 Samuel 1:2; 2 Samuel 1:11; 2 Samuel 3:31; 2 Samuel 13:19; 2 Samuel 13:31; 2 Samuel 15:32; 2 Kings 2:12
- Wearing mourning clothes Genesis 38:14; 2 Samuel 14:2
- See SACKCLOTH
- Cutting or plucking off the hair and beard Ezra 9:3; Jeremiah 7:29
- See BALDNESS
- Covering
- The head and the face 2 Samuel 15:30; 2 Samuel 19:4; Esther 6:12; Jeremiah 14:3; Jeremiah 14:4
- The upper lip Leviticus 13:45; Ezekiel 24:17; Ezekiel 24:22; Micah 3:7
- Laying aside ornaments Exodus 33:4; Exodus 33:6
- Walking barefoot 2 Samuel 15:30; Isaiah 20:2
- Laying the hand on the head 2 Samuel 13:19; Jeremiah 2:37
- Ashes put on the head Ezekiel 27:30
- Dust on the head Joshua 7:6
- Dressing in black Jeremiah 14:2
- Sitting on the ground Isaiah 3:26
- Caused ceremonial defilement Numbers 19:11-16; Numbers 31:19; Leviticus 21:1
- Prevented offerings from being accepted Deuteronomy 26:14; Hosea 9:4
- See ELEGY
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