Bible verses about strength
Everyone runs out of strength sooner or later. Illness, grief, long seasons of caring for others or simply the weight of ordinary days can leave us tired in body and spirit. The Bible does not pretend this never happens: the psalmists admit that their heart and flesh fail, and Paul pleaded for his thorn in the flesh to be taken away.
What the Bible offers is not a call to try harder but a different source of strength. Again and again it points away from our own resources to God, who never grows tired and who gives power to the weak.
These verses speak of God as our refuge, of new strength for those who are worn out, and of the way Christ’s power shows most clearly in our weakness.
God Himself is our strength
To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Ps 46:1 · King James Version (1769)
This is a song of the security of God’s people while nations rage and the earth shakes. The Jamieson, Fausset and Brown commentary links it to the sudden defeat of Sennacherib’s army at Jerusalem, and John MacArthur notes that it inspired Martin Luther’s hymn “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.”
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.
Ps 28:7 · King James Version (1769)
The psalm turns abruptly from pleading to thanksgiving, though nothing outward has changed yet. David’s trust is so sure that he praises God for the help as if it had already come.
My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever.
Ps 73:26 · King James Version (1769)
The psalmist had nearly lost his footing envying the prosperity of the wicked. Coming back to God, he admits that body and heart may fail through sickness, age and death, yet God remains the rock of his heart and his portion forever.
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
Isa 41:10 · King James Version (1769)
God speaks to His frightened people as their own God. He promises to be with them, to strengthen and help them, and to hold them up with His righteous right hand.
New strength for the weary
He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
Isa 40:29 · King James Version (1769)
The God who never grows faint (Isaiah 40:28) gives power to those who do. Those who have no strength of their own find it in Him.
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Isa 40:31 · King James Version (1769)
These words were meant to strengthen Israel waiting for deliverance from captivity. To wait on the Lord is to hope in Him, and those who do are renewed like an eagle growing fresh feathers, able to run and walk without fainting.
Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.
Neh 8:10 · King James Version (1769)
When the people wept as the law was read, Nehemiah, with Ezra and the Levites, told them not to grieve, because the day was holy. They were to celebrate and share food with those who had nothing prepared. Joy in the Lord would be their strength.
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
Josh 1:9 · King James Version (1769)
Joshua had to lead Israel into Canaan after the death of Moses. His courage was to rest on one fact: the Lord his God would be with him wherever he went, the same assurance God gives His servants in every age (Matthew 28:20).
Strength made perfect in weakness
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2 Cor 12:9 · King James Version (1769)
Paul asked three times for his thorn in the flesh to be taken away. Matthew Henry points out that we are not told what it was. God did not remove it but gave grace to bear it, and Christ’s power shows most clearly in human weakness.
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Phil 4:13 · King James Version (1769)
Paul wrote this while thanking the Philippians for their gift, right after saying he had learned to be content both in plenty and in need. William MacDonald explains that Paul means everything God wanted him to do: God gives the strength for what He asks.
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Eph 6:10 · King James Version (1769)
Paul calls believers to be strong, but in the Lord’s power, not their own, because the Christian life is a spiritual battle. He goes on to describe the armor of God.
For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
2 Cor 4:16 · King James Version (1769)
MacArthur notes that Paul’s body was wearing out faster than most through hardships and beatings. Yet the inner person is renewed day by day, and the hope of resurrection kept him from losing heart.
Whatever has drained you today, the God who gives strength to the weary is near, and His strength does not run out.