There are seasons when hope feels less like a virtue and more like an act of stubbornness. When the prayer has been prayed so many times it has started to feel worn thin. When the promise believed in good faith has not arrived on the timeline that seemed reasonable. When disappointment has accumulated slowly enough that you barely noticed the hope draining out until one day you reached for it and found it harder to hold than it used to be. That experience is not unique to you — it runs through Scripture in the stories of every person who ever trusted God through a long and difficult wait. And the word they found in those seasons is the same word available in yours.
That’s exactly what this collection of Bible verses about hope is here to restore. You’ll find the best Scripture verses on hoping through the long wait, trusting when the evidence is thin, the hope that does not disappoint because it is anchored in God’s character rather than current circumstances, hope for healing and restoration, hope for the future, and the remarkable company of every believer who came before you and found — on the other side of their hardest season — that the hope they held onto was never misplaced. Read these verses slowly when the hope is running thin. Read them out loud when the doubt is loud. Write the ones that reach deepest somewhere permanent. Biblical hope has an unbroken track record — and your season is not the one where it finally fails.
JUMP TO:
When It’s All Actually Falling Apart — and You’re Not Okay
- “How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?” — Psalm 13:1–2 (NIV)
- “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest.” — Psalm 22:1–2 (NIV)
- “I am worn out from my groaning. All night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears.” — Psalm 6:6 (NIV)
- “My heart is blighted and withered like grass; I forget to eat my food. In my distress I groan aloud and am reduced to skin and bones.” — Psalm 102:4–5 (NIV)
- “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” — Psalm 42:5 (NIV)
- “Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me.” — Psalm 69:1–2 (NIV)
- “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” — 1 Kings 19:4 (NIV)
- “He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.” — Isaiah 53:3 (NIV)
- “Jesus wept.” — John 11:35 (NIV)
- “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” — Psalm 34:18 (NIV)
- “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” — Psalm 147:3 (NIV)
- “I am the man who has seen affliction by the rod of the Lord’s wrath. He has driven me away and made me walk in darkness rather than light.” — Lamentations 3:1–2 (NIV)
- “You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.” — Psalm 56:8 (NLT)
- “Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord; Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy.” — Psalm 130:1–2 (NIV)
- “The Lord has heard my weeping. The Lord has heard my cry for mercy; the Lord accepts my prayer.” — Psalm 6:8–9 (NIV)
- “Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love.” — Lamentations 3:32 (NIV)
Hope Is Not Wishful Thinking — It’s Something Harder and Better Than That
- “Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.” — Romans 8:24–25 (ESV)
- “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” — Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)
- “And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” — Romans 5:5 (NIV)
- “For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees?” — Romans 8:24 (NKJV)
- “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” — Hebrews 6:19 (NIV)
- “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” — Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
- “This I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.” — Lamentations 3:21–22 (NIV)
- “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” — Psalm 27:13 (NIV)
- “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.” — Romans 15:4 (NIV)
- “Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” — Jeremiah 17:7–8 (NIV)
- “The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him.” — Lamentations 3:25 (NIV)
- “But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.” — Micah 7:7 (NIV)
- “Why do you say, Jacob, and speak, Israel, ‘My way is hidden from the Lord; my cause is disregarded by my God’? Do you not know? Have you not heard?” — Isaiah 40:27 (NIV)
- “Those who hope in me will not be disappointed.” — Isaiah 49:23 (NIV)
- “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” — Hebrews 10:23 (NIV)
- “Blessed are those whose hope is in the Lord their God.” — Psalm 146:5 (NIV)
The God of Hope — Who He Is When You Can’t Feel Anything
- “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” — Romans 15:13 (NIV)
- “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever.” — Psalm 103:8–9 (NIV)
- “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” — Lamentations 3:22–23 (NIV)
- “God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?” — Numbers 23:19 (NIV)
- “I the Lord do not change.” — Malachi 3:6 (NIV)
- “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” — Hebrews 13:8 (NIV)
- “The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does.” — Psalm 145:13 (NIV)
- “For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” — Psalm 100:5 (NIV)
- “Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.” — Psalm 36:5 (NIV)
- “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” — Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)
- “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” — Psalm 118:1 (NIV)
- “Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him.” — Deuteronomy 7:9 (NIV)
- “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” — Lamentations 3:22–23 (ESV)
- “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you.” — 2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)
- “Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!” — Isaiah 30:18 (NIV)
- “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.” — Isaiah 54:10 (NIV)
- “For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” — Isaiah 41:13 (NIV)
Hope That Holds in the Waiting — When the Answer Hasn’t Come Yet
- “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” — Psalm 27:14 (NIV)
- “I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.” — Psalm 40:1 (NIV)
- “Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope.” — Lamentations 3:21 (NIV)
- “The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” — Lamentations 3:25–26 (NIV)
- “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” — Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)
- “For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.” — Habakkuk 2:3 (NIV)
- “My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning.” — Psalm 130:6 (NIV)
- “My soul, wait in silence for God only, for my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be shaken.” — Psalm 62:5–6 (NASB)
- “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.” — Psalm 37:7 (NIV)
- “I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” — Psalm 27:13 (NIV)
- “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” — James 1:12 (NIV)
- “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” — Exodus 14:14 (NIV)
- “If we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.” — Romans 8:25 (NIV)
- “But I will hope continually and will praise you yet more and more.” — Psalm 71:14 (ESV)
- “It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” — Lamentations 3:26 (ESV)
- “For in this hope we were saved.” — Romans 8:24 (ESV)
When Hope Feels Like a Lie — Honest Verses for the Dark Night
- “How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?” — Psalm 13:1 (NIV)
- “I cry to you, God, but you do not answer; I stand up, but you merely look at me.” — Job 30:20 (NIV)
- “Even if I cry out, ‘Violence!’ I get no response; even if I appeal for help, there is no justice.” — Job 19:7 (NIV)
- “Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then is there no healing for the wound of my people?” — Jeremiah 8:22 (NIV)
- “Truly, you are a God who hides himself, O God of Israel, the Savior.” — Isaiah 45:15 (ESV)
- “O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear? Or cry to you ‘Violence!’ and you will not save?” — Habakkuk 1:2 (ESV)
- “Will the Lord reject forever? Will he never show his favor again? Has his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promise failed for all time? Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he in anger withheld his compassion?” — Psalm 77:7–9 (NIV)
- “Then I thought, ‘To this I will appeal: the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand. I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.'” — Psalm 77:10–12 (NIV)
- “I am the man who has seen affliction.” — Lamentations 3:1 (NIV)
- “He has walled me in so I cannot escape; he has weighed me down with chains.” — Lamentations 3:7 (NIV)
- “Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed.” — Lamentations 3:21–22 (NIV)
- “Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him.” — Job 13:15 (NIV)
- “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” — Matthew 27:46 (NIV)
- “After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.” — 1 Kings 19:12 (NIV)
- “But the angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, ‘Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.'” — 1 Kings 19:7 (NIV)
- “Lord, you have seen this; do not be silent. Do not be far from me, Lord.” — Psalm 35:22 (NIV)
Hope as an Anchor — What Keeps You from Drifting Away
- “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf.” — Hebrews 6:19–20 (NIV)
- “So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us.” — Hebrews 6:18 (NLT)
- “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.” — Romans 5:1–2 (NIV)
- “And hope does not put us to shame.” — Romans 5:5 (NIV)
- “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.” — Ephesians 3:20 (NIV)
- “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” — Romans 8:38–39 (NIV)
- “The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” — Proverbs 18:10 (NIV)
- “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” — Psalm 73:26 (NIV)
- “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” — Psalm 46:1 (NIV)
- “He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.” — Psalm 62:2 (ESV)
- “The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” — Deuteronomy 33:27 (NIV)
- “But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.” — Psalm 13:5 (NIV)
- “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” — Psalm 18:2 (NIV)
- “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever.” — Psalm 125:1 (NIV)
- “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.” — Isaiah 26:3–4 (NIV)
- “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” — 1 Peter 5:10 (NIV)
What Suffering Is Actually Doing — Even When You Can’t See It
- “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” — Romans 5:3–5 (NIV)
- “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” — James 1:2–4 (NIV)
- “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” — 2 Corinthians 4:17 (NIV)
- “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” — 2 Corinthians 4:8–9 (NIV)
- “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” — Romans 8:18 (NIV)
- “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” — 1 Peter 5:10 (NIV)
- “Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word.” — Psalm 119:67 (NIV)
- “It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees.” — Psalm 119:71 (NIV)
- “Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone.” — Lamentations 3:32–33 (NIV)
- “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith — of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire — may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” — 1 Peter 1:6–7 (NIV)
- “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” — 2 Corinthians 1:3–4 (NIV)
- “For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.” — 2 Corinthians 1:5 (NIV)
- “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.'” — 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)
- “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all.” — Psalm 34:18–19 (NIV)
- “Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.” — Psalm 126:5–6 (NIV)
- “After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before.” — Job 42:10 (NIV)
The Promises That Make Hope Possible
- “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ. And so through him the ‘Amen’ is spoken by us to the glory of God.” — 2 Corinthians 1:20 (NIV)
- “Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.” — Joshua 21:45 (NIV)
- “So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” — Isaiah 55:11 (NIV)
- “Your word, Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Your faithfulness continues through all generations.” — Psalm 119:89–90 (NIV)
- “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” — 2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)
- “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 1:6 (NIV)
- “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” — Romans 8:28 (NIV)
- “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.'” — Jeremiah 29:11–13 (NIV)
- “God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'” — Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)
- “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” — Matthew 24:35 (NIV)
- “Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.” — Proverbs 30:5 (NIV)
- “The Lord fulfills his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.” — Psalm 138:8 (ESV)
- “I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten.” — Joel 2:25 (ESV)
- “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” — John 16:33 (ESV)
- “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” — Isaiah 43:19 (NIV)
Hope for What’s Coming — The Eternal Kind That Nothing Can Touch
- “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” — Revelation 21:4 (NIV)
- “He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!'” — Revelation 21:5 (NIV)
- “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” — 1 Corinthians 2:9 (NLT)
- “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” — Romans 6:23 (NIV)
- “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.” — John 11:25–26 (NIV)
- “In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” — John 14:2–3 (ESV)
- “For our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” — Philippians 3:20–21 (NIV)
- “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” — Romans 8:18 (NIV)
- “Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day — and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” — 2 Timothy 4:8 (NIV)
- “The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:24 (NIV)
- “Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.” — 1 Thessalonians 4:13 (NIV)
- “He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces.” — Isaiah 25:8 (ESV)
- “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” — 1 Corinthians 15:55 (NIV)
- “The last enemy to be destroyed is death.” — 1 Corinthians 15:26 (NIV)
- “For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.” — Hebrews 13:14 (NLT)
- “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.'” — Revelation 21:3 (NIV)
Morning Is Coming — Verses for the Person Still in the Dark
- “Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” — Psalm 30:5 (NIV)
- “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning.” — Lamentations 3:22–23 (NIV)
- “I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me.” — Psalm 3:5 (NIV)
- “He who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you — the Lord is your shade at your right hand.” — Psalm 121:3–5 (NIV)
- “I will lie down in peace and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.” — Psalm 4:8 (NLT)
- “My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning.” — Psalm 130:6 (NIV)
- “Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.” — Psalm 90:14 (NIV)
- “The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.” — Proverbs 4:18 (NIV)
- “Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.” — Isaiah 58:8 (NIV)
- “For you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays.” — Malachi 4:2 (NIV)
- “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” — Isaiah 43:19 (NIV)
- “He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.” — Psalm 40:3 (NIV)
- “Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.” — Psalm 126:5 (NIV)
- “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” — 1 Peter 5:10 (ESV)
- “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” — Psalm 23:6 (ESV)
- “He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.” — Revelation 22:20–21 (NIV)