10 Most Popular Old Testament Verses
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The Bible is full of well-known verses. There are some you might be able to say by heart simply from seeing them hung on walls in homes, stores, or churches. Maybe you’ve chosen some to be visible in your own life, as a reminder to trust God or rest in His promises.
There is a reason these common verses take root in so many of our hearts and homes. God’s Word is powerful and in God’s presence we truly do find the peace we long for.
In this article we will unpack 10 of the most popular Scripture verses in the Old Testament. For the first one, we will start at the very beginning.
1. “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1).
This verse is foundational for a few reasons. God is established as the creator of all from the beginning. It gives purpose and order to our world and lives.
This verse takes away the idea that the world came into being by some random occurrence or event. Genesis 1:1 truly lays a foundation upon which humanity can build the rest of the Bible’s truth.
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2. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11).
The promise of a hopeful future is desired by all humanity. But many are not aware of the interesting context in which this verse was written.
The prophet Jeremiah shares this promise with Israel, but it is not an immediate transactional promise. This promise from God that the future of Israel could be filled with hope and good would take seventy years to unfold. False prophets were spreading false information about quick relief. Jeremiah was offering hope, but along with that hope would be a long season of waiting.
If we try to use this as a band-aid Bible verse, we must be sure to understand that our timeline and God’s is rarely the same. Waiting might be the mission as we look forward to the good plans and hopeful future.
3. “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31).
What a beautiful picture Isaiah paints with this verse. In the waiting, God renews strength. God will give endurance, power, perseverance, and confidence amidst the difficulty. It’s no wonder so many claim this verse and love it so much.
It was written during a time of crisis for the Israelites, when many were experiencing feelings of abandonment by God. Isaiah offers a hopeful message that God had not forgotten or left them alone. And it is a hopeful message for me and you that God has not left us to do this life on our own either.
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4. “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1).
The entirety of Psalm 23 is popular. You might have heard it read at a funeral or celebration of life. Perhaps you’ve seen it printed or hung on a wall. But the first verse lays the groundwork for the chapter.
David declares the Lord as his shepherd and follows it by the proclamation that because of this fact, he has everything he needs. This idea of contentment gives believers amazing peace amidst seasons filled with turmoil and grief. Remembering this truth is a treasure to cling to in hard times.
5. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:5).
If you’ve ever participated in sports with other Christians, you might have heard this verse claimed as the theme verse for the team or as a way to encourage the athletes. Do everything with all your might!
This verse is shared with Israel just before they entered the promised land. Rather than a battle cry for victory, it was meant more as a warning to keep God as the one true God and not to bow to idolatry. It was a challenge to set God in His rightful place in their lives and to actively love and serve Him with their entire being and lives.
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6. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1).
This is a right-now promise found in the Psalms written by the sons of Korah. It would have been an encouragement in shaken world focused on God’s deliverance. It is a reminder that God is an immediate, unchanging source of power and protection.
It’s no surprise this verse is on the list due to its bold proclamation that God is able to help in our time of need. Every person will face a time in life when the only hope they have is God’s presence in that very moment. This is a promise to name and claim for the desperate heart.
7. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).
This verse is often used as an encouragement when a person is tasked with a new position or responsibility. Moses had died and Joshua was now being commissioned by God as the new leader of Israel. This was no small task. These words would have been gold for Joshua as he faced the road ahead.
For those stepping into new territory or fresh leadership roles, this is the verse to lean into and remember. God truly is with you.
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8. “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1).
This Psalm speaks to the soul who is struggling with terror or war. Psalm 91 in its entirety personally comforts the heart that is in turmoil over life’s circumstances.
The first verse recalls God as a dwelling place where the hurting can find shelter from the harm that surrounds. The two names of God found here, the Most High and the Almighty, show the reader that God is sovereign and powerful over all. The hope we find in Psalm 91 leaves no need for explanation as to why this chapter is so popular.
9. “I will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust’” (Psalm 91:2).
The second verse in Psalm 91 gets as much attention as the entire chapter. It’s the psalmist’s response to God’s power and presence. Perhaps the reason it is so valued is the personal aspect found within this verse. With the pronouns used here, we see the psalmist proclaim he has a personal relationship with the Almighty God.
10. “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).
There are hundreds of verses in the Bible about fear and God’s presence. But this one tends to land on the list of most popular and well-known verses, regardless of topic or theme.
The message to fear not was originally offered amidst a national crisis for Israel. Yet, God gives the prophet Isaiah these words of hope and help. The hope for us is that there is no crisis too big that God is not present. There is no fear too large that God cannot help. The antidote for fear found in this verse is God’s presence and help.
This list of verses is one that you’ll find people looking for and searching and saving over and over. The message I find resonating through each of them is God’s powerful presence and hope. From creation to deliverance, from fear and waiting, God’s Word consistently points us back to a faithful God who is near, who comforts, and sustains. If you are struggling today, revisit each of the verses above and remind yourself of how powerful and present God is. He is with us.
Now click here to read the Top 10 New Testament Verses!
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