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Bible Verses About Rest
In a restless, striving world, the Bible offers a countercultural gift: real rest for the soul, found in God's presence and trust. Matthew 11:28, Psalm 23:2, Exodus 33:14 are among the clearest passages.
Bible verses about rest
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28 · King James Version (public domain)
“He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.”
Psalm 23:2 · King James Version (public domain)
“My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.”
Exodus 33:14 · King James Version (public domain)
“There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.”
Hebrews 4:9 · King James Version (public domain)
“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”
Matthew 11:29 · King James Version (public domain)
Jesus invites us to take His yoke and learn from Him, and there we find rest for our souls.
“I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.”
Psalms 4:8 · King James Version (public domain)
We can lie down and sleep in peace because the Lord alone keeps us safe.
“Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation.”
Psalms 62:1 · King James Version (public domain)
The soul finds its true stillness by waiting quietly upon God.
“Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee.”
Psalms 116:7 · King James Version (public domain)
The weary soul is called back to its rest because the Lord has dealt bountifully with it.
“Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.”
Jeremiah 6:16 · King James Version (public domain)
God points us to the old, good path where our souls find rest.
“It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.”
Psalms 127:2 · King James Version (public domain)
We can stop striving in anxious labor, for God gives rest to those He loves.
“For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not.”
Isaiah 30:15 · King James Version (public domain)
In returning and rest, in quietness and confidence, is where our strength is found.
“And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.”
Mark 6:31 · King James Version (public domain)
Jesus knows our weariness and calls us apart to a quiet place to rest awhile.
“For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.”
Hebrews 4:10 · King James Version (public domain)
Entering God's rest means ceasing from our own works and trusting His finished work.
How these verses point to Christ
These verses are not slogans to prop yourself up. Every true word the Bible speaks about rest finds its yes in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20). He is where rest, rightly understood, was always leading; come to Him and receive what no verse alone can give.
You do not have to carry this alone
On The Living Bread you can read these passages in full, ask Simon what they mean, hear how Christ has met others in the same place, and pray them with a community that will pray for you by name. You are welcome exactly as you are.
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