27 Old Testament Scriptures for Funerals
The simple, but profound, act of reading a scripture from the Bible at a funeral can provide comfort, hope, and a sense of peace to those grieving the loss of a loved one. In the case of Old Testament scriptures, they offer a rich source of wisdom, inspiration, and solace that can be particularly meaningful for those who find strength in the teachings and traditions of Judaism and Christianity. If you’re in search of an Old Testament scripture to read at a funeral, you’ve come to the right place.
Why would you read an Old Testament scripture at a funeral?
Many funerals often feature both religious and non-religious readings. Reading an Old Testament scripture at a funeral can offer comfort and solace to mourners, as these passages offer words of hope, reassurance, and wisdom during an incredibly difficult time. These scriptures can also help to provide a sense of continuity and connection with the past, as they are part of a long tradition of Jewish and Christian funeral practices. Additionally, for those who hold strong religious beliefs, reading an Old Testament scripture can provide a sense of spiritual guidance and support.
What is considered a “good” Old Testament scripture for a funeral?
There are many Old Testament scriptures that are generally considered appropriate for a funeral, as they offer comfort, hope, and assurance of God's love and care during times of grief and loss. Some of the most commonly used Old Testament scriptures for funerals include Psalm 23, Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, Isaiah 41:10, and Job 19:25-27, among others that you’ll find below. Ultimately, the choice of scripture will depend on personal preference, cultural and religious traditions, and the specific needs of the mourners.
Do Old Testament scriptures for funerals need to be King James Version (KJV) or can they be from any version?
Old Testament scriptures for funerals do not need to be from the King James Version (KJV) specifically. Any version of the Bible can be used, as long as it is translated accurately and conveys the intended message. Different translations may offer slightly different wording and phrasing, but the overall meaning and significance of the scripture should remain the same.
Shorter Old Testament scriptures for a funeral
The following list gives you a ton of options from the Old Testament and can be a great starting point for those who want to intersperse shorter verses throughout their readings at the funeral. These Old Testament scriptures are great for funerals as they offer words of comfort, hope, and assurance during times of grief and loss.
- Psalm 23:1-6 - "The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing."
- Psalm 27:1-14 - "The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?"
- Psalm 46:1-11 - "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble."
- Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 - "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens." Isaiah 25:8-9 - "He will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces."
- Isaiah 40:28-31 - "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God."
- Isaiah 41:10 - "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God."
- Isaiah 43:1-3 - "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine."
- Isaiah 49:13-16 - "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne?"
- Isaiah 51:11 - "Those the Lord has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads."
- Isaiah 55:6-7 - "Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near."
- Isaiah 61:1-3 - "The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor."
- Lamentations 3:22-26 - "Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail."
- Nahum 1:7 - "The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him."
- Habakkuk 3:17-19 - "Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines."
- Job 1:20-22 - "Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away."
- Job 19:25-27 - "I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth."
- Job 23:10 - "But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold."
- Job 42:1-6 - "I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted."
- Psalm 121:1-8 - "I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from?"
If you don’t have access to a Bible at home and want to look up the fuller version of these scriptures, you can use sites like Bible Gateway as a resource.
Longer Old Testament scriptures for funerals
If you’re looking for something a little longer, consider using some of these Psalms as the Old Testament scripture you read at the funeral. These scriptures are longer and can help provide attendees with a sense of comfort, strength, and hope for the future.
Psalm 27:1-4
"The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident. One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple."
Psalm 31:1-5
"In you, Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness. Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me. Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me. Keep me free from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge. Into your hands I commit my spirit; deliver me, Lord, my faithful God."
Psalm 39:4-7
"Show me, Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is. You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure. Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom; in vain they rush about, heaping up wealth without knowing whose it will finally be. But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you."
Psalm 46:1-3
"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging."
Psalm 48:9-14
"Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love. Like your name, O God, your praise reaches to the ends of the earth; your right hand is filled with righteousness. Mount Zion rejoices, the villages of Judah are glad because of your judgments. Walk about Zion, go around her, count her towers, consider well her ramparts, view her citadels, that you may tell of them to the next generation. For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end."
Psalm 63:1-8
"You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. I cling to you; your right hand upholds me."
Psalm 16:8-11
"I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay. You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand."
No matter which verses you choose to include in the service, you can feel confident that they serve as a source of comfort, hope, and inspiration to some of your loved ones in attendance and can help provide a sense of closure and peace during a difficult time of grief and loss.
If you or a loved one has lost a loved one and needs help planning a service, Ever Loved is here to help. Ever Loved offers free memorial websites and resources to help plan a funeral for your loved ones. These free, easy to use and quick to set up memorial websites also come with a checklist, covering all the important steps you need to take after losing a loved one.
