What does the Bible say about sleep?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible presents sleep as a good gift of God, calling us to rest in his providential care while warning against both anxious toil and lazy neglect. Psalms 4:8 and 3:5 portray peaceful sleep as flowing from trust in the Lord, and Psalms 121:3-4 assures believers that Israel's Keeper never sleeps. Proverbs 3:24 encourages freedom from fear at night, while Psalms 127:2 reminds us that God gives rest to his beloved apart from self-reliant striving. Yet Proverbs 6:9 and 20:13 caution against loving sleep in a way that abandons diligence. Jesus' calm sleep in Matthew 8:24 and his promise of peace in John 14:27 direct weary hearts to him.
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Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Proverbs 3:24
When you lie down, you will not be afraid. Yes, you will lie down, and your sleep will be sweet.
- Psalms 4:8
In peace I will both lay myself down and sleep, For you, Yahweh alone, make me live in safety.
- Psalms 127:2
It is vain for you to rise up early, To stay up late, Eating the bread of toil; For he gives sleep to his loved ones.
- Proverbs 20:13
Don't love sleep, lest you come to poverty; Open your eyes, and you shall be satisfied with bread.
- Psalms 3:5
I laid myself down and slept. I awakened; for Yahweh sustains me.
- Proverbs 6:9
How long will you sleep, sluggard? When will you arise out of your sleep?
- Matthew 8:24
Behold, a great tempest arose in the sea, so much that the boat was covered with the waves, but he was asleep.
- John 14:27
Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, give I to you. Don't let your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful.
- Psalms 121:3-4
[3] He will not allow your foot to be moved. He who keeps you will not slumber. [4] Behold, he who keeps Israel Will neither slumber nor sleep.
- Ecclesiastes 5:12
The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, whether he eats little or much; but the abundance of the rich will not allow him to sleep.
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