What Is the Best Book of the Bible to Read When Facing Grief?
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If the Lord tarries, we will all die, and grief over the death of loved ones will strike every one of us. Christians turn to God’s Word for help and solace when we face sorrow over our losses. So what is the best book of the Bible to read when facing grief?
The Bible is an unfolding narrative of God’s plan of redemption for all who are called to saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, the whole Bible is about Jesus. We cannot go wrong anywhere in it when looking to assuage our grief. But one book with which we can certainly start is the Psalms. In the Psalms, we read about pouring out all our emotions to the Lord for His help, His comfort, His peace, His vindication, and His praise.
The Apostle Peter said, “His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness” (2 Peter 1:3). The first part of this verse says, “everything for life.” Everything includes God’s Word and the means and wisdom to handle the tough things of this life, including grief.
As you will discover, all Scripture corresponds with itself. Scripture interprets Scripture and helps us both understand what the Lord is telling us in it and adds beauty to what we read as we see God’s revelation of redemption through the Messiah. Because of that, many other books of the Bible will be referenced throughout this article. We will also use the Psalms cited as a guide for praying through our grief.
I pray, if you are facing grief or are helping another person go through it, these passages from God’s Word and prayers will bring you great comfort and encouragement.
Draw Near to God with Psalm 68
“Blessed be the Lord!
Day after day He bears our burdens;
God is our salvation.Selah
Our God is a God of salvation,
and escape from death belongs to the LORD my Lord.”
(Psalm 68:19-20).
The Lord God Himself bears all our burdens. Jesus said, “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:30). And He saves us, and not only at conversion when the Holy Spirit brings life to us so we are enabled with faith (Romans 8:10-11). But He also sanctifies Christians, so that by His power we become more and more like Christ and have a closer walk with Him.
It’s closeness to our Lord that most helps us through grief. We trust Him to give us peace when we face that which grieves us — mostly death.
Let’s Pray
Lord God,
Thank You for Your Word. Thank You that the Bible speaks the truth of Who You are to us. There is not a day that goes by that You don’t bear our burdens, and I praise You for bearing mine. Thank You for sending Jesus to save me through His atoning work on the cross. Because of Jesus, I can grieve with hope and know that death is not the end for those who are Yours.
In Jesus’ name I pray and give thanks,
Amen.
Turn to the Cross with Psalm 22
This Psalm is all about Jesus and His cries from the cross. As He suffered and gave His life for us — for our sins — He brings light and life to all who would believe in Him (Psalm 27:1, Luke 2:32; John 8:12).
In our grief, we can look to our Savior, for He lived the life we cannot live, and He died the death we deserve. His triumph is ours, too (2 Corinthians 2:14: Psalm 30). We can cry out for God’s help just as Jesus did at Calvary.
Verse 19 says, “But you, LORD, don’t be far away. My strength, come quickly to help me.”
Let’s Pray
My Lord and my God,
I need Your presence to fill me. I am at the depth of grief and I need You. Help me to get through this journey. My heart is broken. Lord, You know. Help me, I pray in the name of Jesus.
Amen.
Turn Your Mourning into Dancing with Psalm 30
In this Psalm, we celebrate the Lord's resurrection. We praise God for it, for without it we'd be forever lost. We are spiritually healed and the Spirit gives us life because of Jesus’ atoning work on the cross. In John 19:30, Jesus said it is finished. We are secure in him because of his resurrection.
1 Corinthians 15:55 says all joy is ours, so therefore death no longer has hold of us. If our loved one is in Christ, he is with Him right now.
“You turned my lament into dancing;
you removed my sackcloth
and clothed me with gladness,
so that I can sing to You and not be silent.
LORD my God, I will praise You forever”
(Psalm 30:11-12).
Let’s Pray
Father,
I know You will heal me of grief. It won’t be complete until glory, but I cling to that hope because You always fulfill Your promises. One day I will dance again with gladness and joy because I know where we who belong to Jesus go — straight into His presence. I will sing again and I will join all in heaven who will praise You forever.
All this I pray in the matchless name of Christ.
Amen.
Turn Your Tired Eyes Heavenward with Psalm 40
“I waited patiently for the LORD,
and He turned to me and heard my cry for help.He brought me up from a desolate pit,
out of the muddy clay,
and set my feet on a rock,
making my steps secure.He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.Many will see and fear,
and they will trust in the LORD”
(Psalm 40:1-3).
Oh, how wonderful to read the words of our Savior, the Son of David, who is our ultimate King. He is our Prophet, Priest and King. Jesus passed through suffering into the glory He had with the Father before the world existed (John 17:5), and He gives glory to those who know and love Him—all for His sake and for our good (Romans 8:28-30; 2 Corinthians 3:18; John 1:14). Our suffering and grief will be replaced with glory when He returns or calls us home.
Let’s Pray
Lord,
Right now I feel like I’m in a pit. My tears keep falling and I feel like my sadness will never go away. I know I need to be patient because I also know You hear my cries. I pray, heavenly Father, that once You pull me out of this, I will be able to share what You’ve done with all the people who are grieving with me and those who have loved me through it.
In Your name I pray,
Amen.
Draw Close to Jesus with Psalm 46
God is forever present in the lives of those He's called to Himself. This Psalm says “the Lord God is our refuge and strength, a Helper who is always found in times of trouble” (v. 1).
Because death is so foreign to us, we cry out to the Lord Jesus when we face it. To have Jesus — to be in Him — is an immeasurable blessing to us. We cry out with confidence to the one who tells us to, “Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth” (v. 10). We are part of the church Jesus is building, “and the gates of hell will not overcome it” (Matthew 16:18). He will not fail.
Let’s Pray
I trust you Lord, with and in my grief.
You are my Refuge and my Strength. No matter what trouble I find myself in, You are always there and You will never leave me alone. I will be still as I grieve, and I will wait for You to calm my fears, assuage my sadness, and, in the end You will be exalted. You, Lord Jesus are victorious and You will wipe away our every tear. I praise You.
Lord Jesus, it’s in Your matchless name I pray.
Amen.
Look Forward to a Day without Tears in Psalm 69
In grief, we can turn so much into ourselves that we neglect the outward focus, and we almost stop looking out toward others. Most importantly, however, we neglect gazing in awe and utter dependence at our Savior, the Lord Christ. When we are weak, He is strong (2 Corinthians 12:10).
And when we regard His suffering for us, our focus turns to Christ and His promises of life eternal in and with Him (1 John 5:11-13). Psalm 69:3 says, “I am weary from my crying; my throat is parched. My eyes fail, looking for my God.” Dear Christian, look hard. He is here with you.
We will leave all tears and death behind (Revelation 7:17; 21:4). For now, our earthly bodies will pass away. When the Lord makes all things new (Revelation 21:5), tears and death will then pass away.
Let’s Pray
Lord Jesus,
Thank You that no matter how hard I lament the loss of my beloved one, You understand. My throat is raw from crying and my tears are blurring my vision. Help me to see You at work in my desperate situation. I love You, Lord. Help me heal.
I pray in Your name,
Amen.
Remember God Is with You in Psalm 77
We remember God's acts because He still acts in our lives. Psalm 77:11-14 consoles us, “I will remember the LORD’s works; yes, I will remember Your ancient wonders. I will reflect on all You have done and meditate on Your actions. God, Your way is holy. What god is great like God? You are the God who works wonders; You revealed Your strength among the peoples.”
We are never forgotten. We are never left behind (Deuteronomy 31:6). Those who have entered the depths of grief can take great solace from this Psalm. We too can appreciate even more, Christ's sufferings for us. The journey of faith is led by the Lord's ongoing sanctification of the Church, the Saints.
Grief changes us because the Lord uses even our grief to grow us more and more into the image of Himself. We can appeal to His goodness, mercy, grace, and kindness. For he's never stopped being the God of all comfort.
Let’s Pray
Lord God,
You only do wondrous things and every single one reveals how very good You are, and most holy. I am deep in sadness and I don’t know what to do with it. I can’t put my grief away. Help me look to You and remember all You’ve done not only in my life, but in my beloved’s life and in all the lives of those You’ve called to Yourself through Jesus Christ our Lord. As I read Your Word and reflect on Jesus and how He saved me, I will trust in You more and more.
Help me in my misery, I pray in Jesus’ name.
Amen.
Grieve with the Hope Found in Psalm 102
Psalm 102:11-12 tell us, “My days are like a lengthening shadow, and I wither away like grass. But You, LORD, are enthroned forever; Your fame endures to all generations.”
A lament is just as heard by the Lord as a praise. Thank God. We saints read this prayer and pray along with it. In all our journey through this life, we cast it all — praise, lament, fear — before the Lord. We are part of Christ's church, one that the gates of hell will never overpower (Matthew 16:18).
As I pray through my personal grief, I lift up my family, too. Faith comes through lament too, because He who promised His peace is faithful (Hebrews 10:23). Our hope is in our sure and faithful Lord. Therefore, we grieve with hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14).
Let’s Pray
Lord Jesus, my Savior, my all,
I know my life is but a breath, and so was my beloved’s. I also know in my heart and soul that You are forever and You will usher us who are Yours into eternity, to be with You forever. You are so good and You came save us. You died for us! Help me grieve well, knowing that one day my grief will end and I will testify about how very good You are that death has no sting for Christians.
I pray this in the mighty name of Jesus.
Amen.
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