What Does the Bible Say About Loneliness? 8 Verses and What Each One Means
The main Bible verses about loneliness are Deuteronomy 31:6, Psalms 25:16, Isaiah 41:10 and Matthew 28:20. Deuteronomy 31:6 is the most quoted: God "will not fail you nor forsake you". Psalms 25:16 is the prayer of someone on their own: "Turn to me, and have mercy on me, for I am desolate and afflicted". Isaiah 41:10 promises presence and support. Matthew 28:20 closes the Gospel with "I am with you always, even to the end of the age". This page collects 8 Bible verses about loneliness with the full text, the reference and a one-line explanation for each.
Feeling alone does not depend on how many people are nearby. The Bible knows that pain: the psalmist asks "Turn to me, and have mercy on me, for I am desolate and afflicted"; Elijah says he alone is left; Paul writes that at his defense no one stood by him. And the Bible's answer is always the same promise, repeated from Deuteronomy to the end of Matthew: "He will not fail you nor forsake you", "I am with you always". Psalm 68 adds something concrete: God sets the lonely in families — which usually happens through other people. The verses on this page are for the silent night, for those who have moved, for the widowed, for those far from home. Read one and, if you can, send a message to someone: loneliness shrinks at both ends.
Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid or scared of them, for Yahweh your God himself is who goes with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you.”
Deuteronomy 31:6Turn to me, and have mercy on me, for I am desolate and afflicted.
Psalms 25:16Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness.
Isaiah 41:10teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
Matthew 28:20God sets the lonely in families. He brings out the prisoners with singing, but the rebellious dwell in a sun-scorched land.
Psalms 68:6Be free from the love of money, content with such things as you have, for he has said, “I will in no way leave you, neither will I in any way forsake you.”
Hebrews 13:5Where could I go from your Spirit? Or where could I flee from your presence? If I ascend up into heaven, you are there. If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, you are there! If I take the wings of the dawn, and settle in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand will lead me, and your right hand will hold me.
Psalms 139:7-10I will not leave you orphans. I will come to you.
John 14:18
Frequently asked questions
Which verse says God never leaves us?
Deuteronomy 31:6 and Hebrews 13:5: "I will in no way leave you, neither will I in any way forsake you". Matthew 28:20 completes it: "I am with you always, even to the end of the age".
Does the Bible talk about loneliness?
Yes. Psalm 25:16 is an explicit prayer of someone who is alone; Elijah (1 Kings 19) and Paul (2 Timothy 4:16) go through it too. The answer is God's presence and, often, other people.
What should I do when loneliness weighs too much?
Pray, but also look for people: a faith community, a group, a friend. If loneliness comes with deep, persistent sadness, talk to a mental health professional.
See also
Scripture text: World English Bible (WEB), public domain. Prayers, introductions and reflections: original text by this site, not affiliated with any denomination. Devotional content; it does not replace medical, psychological or legal advice.