The Bible is packed with powerful verses about the heart. If you’re looking for scriptures to help you heal a broken heart, these verses can offer hope and encouragement. The King James Version of the Bible is especially known for its beautiful, poetic language that speaks straight to the heart. These scriptures about the heart can equip you to follow God’s plan for healing and restoring your heart.
Scriptures on the Heart
- Psalm 51:10 King David prays for God to create a clean heart in this classic scripture on the heart.
- Ezekiel 36:26 The Lord promises to give his people a new heart in this Bible verse.
- Proverbs 4:23 Solomon says to keep your heart with diligence in this scripture about the heart.
- Matthew 22:37 Jesus says to love God with all your heart in this scripture quote.
- Proverbs 27:19 This Bible verse says the face reflects what’s in the heart of a man.
- Jeremiah 17:9 This Bible verses says the heart is deceitful above all things.
- Matthew 5:8 Jesus says the pure in heart will be blessed by God in this popular scripture quote.
- Proverbs 3:5-6 In this biblical passage on the heart, Solomon says trust in the LORD with all your heart.
- James 4:8 James says to purify your hearts and draw near to God in this scripture quote.
- John 14:27 Jesus says do not let your hearts be troubled in this top Bible verse about the heart.
- Psalm 119:10-11 King David says he has stored up God’s Word in his heart and seeks the LORD with his whole heart in this scripture passage.
- Psalm 19:14 This Bible verse about the heart is often a prayer offered at the end of Christian worship services.
- Psalm 34:18 This biblical quote promises the LORD is near to the brokenhearted.
- Hebrews 4:12 The Word of God can divide the thoughts and intentions of the heart according to this Bible verse.
- 1 Samuel 16:7 God looks at the heart Bible verse.
- Jeremiah 17:10 The LORD searched the heart scripture verse.
- Proverbs 21:2 The LORD weights the heart according to this scripture quote from Solomon.
- Ezekiel 11:19 The Lord promises to give his people a new heart in this biblical passage.
Psalm 51:10 King David prays for God to create a clean heart in this classic scripture on the heart.
Psalms 51:10
(ESV) Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
(KJV) Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
(MSG) God, make a fresh start in me, shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life.
(NIV) Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
(NLT) Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.
Ezekiel 36:26 The Lord promises to give his people a new heart in this Bible verse.
Ezekiel 36:26
(ESV) And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
(KJV) A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
(MSG) I’ll give you a new heart, put a new spirit in you. I’ll remove the stone heart from your body and replace it with a heart that’s God-willed, not self-willed.
(NIV) I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.
(NLT) And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.
Proverbs 4:23 Solomon says to keep your heart with diligence in this scripture about the heart.
Proverbs 4:23
(ESV) Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.
(KJV) Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
(MSG) Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that’s where life starts.
(NIV) Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
(NLT) Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.
Matthew 22:37 Jesus says to love God with all your heart in this scripture quote.
Matthew 22:37
(ESV) And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.
(KJV) Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
(MSG) Jesus said, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.’
(NIV) Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
(NLT) Jesus replied, “‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’
Proverbs 27:19 This Bible verse says the face reflects what’s in the heart of a man.
Proverbs 27:19
(ESV) As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects the man.
(KJV) As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man.
(MSG) Just as water mirrors your face, so your face mirrors your heart.
(NIV) As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart.
(NLT) As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the real person.
Jeremiah 17:9 This Bible verses says the heart is deceitful above all things.
Jeremiah 17:9
(ESV) The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?
(KJV) The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
(MSG) “The heart is hopelessly dark and deceitful, a puzzle that no one can figure out.
(NIV) The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?
(NLT) “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?
Matthew 5:8 Jesus says the pure in heart will be blessed by God in this popular scripture quote.
Matthew 5:8
(ESV) “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
(KJV) Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
(MSG) “You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.
(NIV) Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
(NLT) God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.
Proverbs 3:5-6 In this biblical passage on the heart, Solomon says trust in the LORD with all your heart.
Proverbs 3:5
(ESV) Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
(KJV) Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
(MSG) Trust GOD from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own.
(NIV) Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
(NLT) Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.
Proverbs 3:6
(ESV) In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
(KJV) In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
(MSG) Listen for GOD’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track.
(NIV) in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
(NLT) Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
James 4:8 James says to purify your hearts and draw near to God in this scripture quote.
James 4:8
(ESV) Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
(KJV) Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
(MSG) Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field.
(NIV) Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
(NLT) Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.
John 14:27 Jesus says do not let your hearts be troubled in this top Bible verse about the heart.
John 14:27
(ESV) Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
(KJV) Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
(MSG) I’m leaving you well and whole. That’s my parting gift to you. Peace. I don’t leave you the way you’re used to being left—feeling abandoned, bereft. So don’t be upset. Don’t be distraught.
(NIV) Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
(NLT) “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.
Psalm 119:10-11 King David says he has stored up God’s Word in his heart and seeks the LORD with his whole heart in this scripture passage.
Psalms 119:10
(ESV) With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments!
(KJV) With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
(MSG) I’m single-minded in pursuit of you; don’t let me miss the road signs you’ve posted.
(NIV) I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.
(NLT) I have tried hard to find you—don’t let me wander from your commands.
Psalms 119:11
(ESV) I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
(KJV) Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
(MSG) I’ve banked your promises in the vault of my heart so I won’t sin myself bankrupt.
(NIV) I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
(NLT) I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
Psalm 19:14 This Bible verse about the heart is often a prayer offered at the end of Christian worship services.
Psalms 19:14
(ESV) Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
(KJV) Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
(MSG) These are the words in my mouth; these are what I chew on and pray. Accept them when I place them on the morning altar, O God, my Altar-Rock, God, Priest-of-My-Altar.
(NIV) May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.
(NLT) May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
Psalm 34:18 This biblical quote promises the LORD is near to the brokenhearted.
Psalms 34:18
(ESV) The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
(KJV) The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
(MSG) If your heart is broken, you’ll find GOD right there; if you’re kicked in the gut, he’ll help you catch your breath.
(NIV) The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
(NLT) The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.
Hebrews 4:12 The Word of God can divide the thoughts and intentions of the heart according to this Bible verse.
Hebrews 4:12
(ESV) For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
(KJV) For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
(MSG) God means what he says. What he says goes. His powerful Word is sharp as a surgeon’s scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey.
(NIV) For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
(NLT) For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
1 Samuel 16:7 God looks at the heart Bible verse.
1 Samuel 16:7
(ESV) But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.”
(KJV) But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.
(MSG) But GOD told Samuel, “Looks aren’t everything. Don’t be impressed with his looks and stature. I’ve already eliminated him. GOD judges persons differently than humans do. Men and women look at the face; GOD looks into the heart.”
(NIV) But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
(NLT) But the LORD said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The LORD doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
Jeremiah 17:10 The LORD searched the heart scripture verse.
Jeremiah 17:10
(ESV) “I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.”
(KJV) I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
(MSG) But I, GOD, search the heart and examine the mind. I get to the heart of the human. I get to the root of things. I treat them as they really are, not as they pretend to be.”
(NIV) “I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.”
(NLT) But I, the LORD, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve.”
Proverbs 21:2 The LORD weights the heart according to this scripture quote from Solomon.
Proverbs 21:2
(ESV) Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the heart.
(KJV) Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.
(MSG) We justify our actions by appearances; GOD examines our motives.
(NIV) A person may think their own ways are right, but the LORD weighs the heart.
(NLT) People may be right in their own eyes, but the LORD examines their heart.
Ezekiel 11:19 The Lord promises to give his people a new heart in this biblical passage.
Ezekiel 11:19
(ESV) And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh,
(KJV) And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:
(MSG) I’ll give you a new heart. I’ll put a new spirit in you. I’ll cut out your stone heart and replace it with a red-blooded, firm-muscled heart.
(NIV) I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.
(NLT) And I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them. I will take away their stony, stubborn heart and give them a tender, responsive heart,
FAQ about the HEART in Christian Scripture and Theology
The term “heart” appears over 800 times in the Bible and yet, its precise meaning can be hard to determine. In today’s vernacular, we might say that someone has a “big heart” if they’re generous or compassionate. We might tell someone to “follow their heart” if we think they’re making a good decision. But what did the biblical authors mean when they used the word “heart?” In the simplest sense, the heart is the center of our emotional life. It’s where we experience joy and happiness, but also sorrow and pain. The Bible often uses physical metaphors to describe the emotional life of the heart.
There are a number of Bible verses that talk about the heart. In Matthew 15:18-20, Jesus says, “But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person.” So here we see that the heart is connected with our thoughts and words.
Proverbs 4:23 says, “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” This tells us that we need to be careful what we allow into our hearts, because it will affect our lives.
“And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8) The Bible speaks often of the heart – how it can be hard or soft, deceitful or sincere. In Proverbs, we’re told that “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (4:23) So it stands to reason that a good heart is incredibly important! A good heart is full of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)
The Bible is clear that a sincere heart is essential to pleasing God. In Isaiah 66:2, we read, “But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.” This passage teaches us that it is not our external actions or words that matter most to God, but rather our innermost thoughts and attitudes. A sincere heart shows humility and respect for God’s Word, both of which are essential in having a relationship with Him. In Proverbs 22:1, we are told, “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.” This verse speaks to the importance of character over outward behavior.
God’s own heart is one of love, compassion, and mercy. He desires the best for us and wants us to come to Him through faith in Jesus Christ. God’s heart is also one of justice, and He will punish those who reject Him and do evil. But even in His wrath, God demonstrates His great love for sinners by providing a way for them to be saved from punishment. Praise God for His wonderful heart!
The heart is so important to God because it is the center of our thoughts, feelings, and emotions. It is what drives our behavior and motivates us to act. Everything we do starts with a thought or feeling in our heart. That’s why the Bible says that “as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7).
God knows that if He can change our hearts, He can change our lives. He wants us to have hearts full of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). We have these things in our hearts.
More Bible Study Resources about the Heart of Man in Scripture.
Read the following web pages to discover more excellent Christian quotes and scriptures about the heart.