Bible Verses for Strength during Hard Times from The Tanakh That Bring Hope When you Feel Overwhelmed

Finding strength in the Tanakh (the Hebrew Bible) is a practice that has sustained people for millennia. The New King James Version (NKJV) captures the poetic resonance of these ancient texts beautifully.

Here are 100 verses curated to provide comfort, courage, and hope during difficult seasons, categorized by their spiritual "medicine."

---

The Lord is My Strength and Shield

1. Exodus 15:2 – "The Lord is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation."

2. 2 Samuel 22:3 – "The God of my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation."

3. 2 Samuel 22:31 – "As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him."

4. 2 Samuel 22:33 – "God is my strength and power, and He makes my way perfect."

5. Psalm 18:1 – "I will love You, O Lord, my strength."

6. Psalm 18:2 – "The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust."

7. Psalm 18:32 – "It is God who arms me with strength, and makes my way perfect."

8. Psalm 27:1 – "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"

9. Psalm 28:7 – "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped."

10. Psalm 28:8 – "The Lord is their strength, and He is the saving refuge of His anointed."

11. Psalm 59:17 – "To You, O my Strength, I will sing praises; for God is my defense, my God of mercy."

12. Psalm 73:26 – "My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."

13. Psalm 81:1 – "Sing aloud to God our strength; make a joyful shout to the God of Jacob."

14. Psalm 118:14 – "The Lord is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation."

15. Psalm 140:7 – "O God the Lord, the strength of my salvation, You have covered my head in the day of battle."

16. Psalm 144:1 – "Blessed be the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle."

17. Isaiah 12:2 – "Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; for Yah, the Lord, is my strength and song."

18. Isaiah 26:4 – "Trust in the Lord forever, for in Yah, the Lord, is everlasting strength."

19. Habakkuk 3:19 – "The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, and He will make me walk on my high hills."

Courage in the Face of Fear

20. Deuteronomy 31:6 – "Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you."

21. Deuteronomy 31:8 – "And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed."

22. Joshua 1:7 – "Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law."

23. Joshua 1:9 – "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

24. Joshua 10:25 – "Then Joshua said to them, 'Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed; be strong and of good courage.'"

25. 1 Chronicles 22:13 – "Be strong and of good courage; do not fear nor be dismayed."

26. 1 Chronicles 28:20 – "Be strong and of good courage, and do it; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord God—my God—will be with you."

27. 2 Chronicles 20:15 – "Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s."

28. 2 Chronicles 20:17 – "Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you."

29. 2 Chronicles 32:7 – "Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid nor dismayed before the king of Assyria... for there are more with us than with him."

30. Psalm 3:6 – "I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around."

31. Psalm 23:4 – "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me."

32. Psalm 27:3 – "Though an army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear."

33. Psalm 27:14 – "Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart."

34. Psalm 31:24 – "Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord."

35. Psalm 46:1 – "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."

36. Psalm 46:2 – "Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed."

37. Psalm 56:3 – "Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You."

38. Psalm 56:4 – "In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?"

39. Psalm 56:11 – "In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"

40. Psalm 91:5 – "You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day."

41. Psalm 112:7 – "He will not be afraid of evil tidings; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord."

42. Psalm 118:6 – "The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?"

43. Proverbs 3:25 – "Do not be afraid of sudden terror, nor of suicide from the wicked when it comes."

44. Isaiah 35:4 – "Say to those who are fearful-hearted, 'Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance.'"

45. Isaiah 41:10 – "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you."

46. Isaiah 41:13 – "For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, 'Fear not, I will help you.'"

47. Isaiah 43:1 – "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine."

48. Isaiah 43:5 – "Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your descendants from the east."

49. Isaiah 51:12 – "I, even I, am He who comforts you. Who are you that you should be afraid of a man who shall die?"

50. Isaiah 54:4 – "Do not fear, for you will not be ashamed; neither be disgraced, for you will not be put to shame."

Comfort and Peace

51. Psalm 4:8 – "I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety."

52. Psalm 9:9 – "The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble."

53. Psalm 23:1 – "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want."

54. Psalm 23:2 – "He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters."

55. Psalm 23:3 – "He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake."

56. Psalm 23:5 – "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over."

57. Psalm 23:6 – "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life."

58. Psalm 29:11 – "The Lord will give strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace."

59. Psalm 30:5 – "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning."

60. Psalm 34:18 – "The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit."

61. Psalm 40:1 – "I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry."

62. Psalm 40:2 – "He also brought me up out of a horrible pit... and set my feet upon a rock."

63. Psalm 42:11 – "Why are you cast down, O my soul? ... Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him."

64. Psalm 55:22 – "Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you."

65. Psalm 61:2 – "When my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I."

66. Psalm 62:1 – "Truly my soul silently waits for God; from Him comes my salvation."

67. Psalm 62:5 – "My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him."

68. Psalm 86:17 – "Show me a sign for good... because You, Lord, have helped me and comforted me."

69. Psalm 91:1 – "He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty."

70. Psalm 91:4 – "He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge."

71. Psalm 94:19 – "In the multitude of my intensities within me, Your comforts delight my soul."

72. Psalm 119:50 – "This is my comfort in my affliction, for Your word has given me life."

73. Psalm 119:165 – "Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble."

74. Psalm 147:3 – "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."

75. Isaiah 26:3 – "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You."

76. Isaiah 40:1 – "‘Comfort, yes, comfort My people!’ says your God."

77. Isaiah 66:13 – "As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you."

78. Jeremiah 31:13 – "For I will turn their mourning into joy, will comfort them, and make them rejoice rather than sorrow."

79. Lamentations 3:22 – "Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not."

80. Lamentations 3:23 – "They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness."

Deliverance and Guidance

81. Genesis 28:15 – "Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go."

82. Exodus 14:14 – "The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace."

83. 1 Samuel 2:9 – "He will guard the feet of His saints."

84. Psalm 18:6 – "In my distress I called upon the Lord... He heard my voice from His temple."

85. Psalm 25:5 – "Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation."

86. Psalm 32:7 – "You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble."

87. Psalm 32:8 – "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye."

88. Psalm 34:4 – "I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears."

89. Psalm 34:6 – "This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles."

90. Psalm 34:7 – "The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them."

91. Psalm 34:17 – "The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles."

92. Psalm 37:5 – "Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass."

93. Psalm 37:23 – "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way."

94. Psalm 37:39 – "But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their strength in the time of trouble."

95. Psalm 50:15 – "Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me."

96. Psalm 121:1 – "I will lift up my eyes to the hills—from whence comes my help?"

97. Psalm 121:2 – "My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth."

98. Proverbs 3:5 – "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding."

99. Proverbs 3:6 – "In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."

100. Isaiah 40:31 – "But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles."

---