The Bible has a lot to say about goodness. Here are some key Bible verses that discuss goodness:
Psalms 23:6 – God’s goodness and mercy follow us
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” (Psalm 23:6 ESV)
This popular Psalm describes how God’s goodness and lovingkindness pursue us throughout our lives. As we follow God, we can be confident that His faithful goodness will always be with us.
Psalms 27:13 – Wait for the Lord’s goodness
“I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living!” (Psalm 27:13 ESV)
When we face trials, we can have hope and wait expectantly for God’s goodness. God promises to show His goodness to those who faithfully trust in Him.
Psalms 31:19 – God’s goodness is stored up for the godly
“Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind!” (Psalm 31:19 ESV)
For those who revere and worship God, He has reserved great blessings of goodness. We can be confident that God’s goodness awaits all who faithfully follow Him.
Psalms 33:5 – God’s goodness fills the earth
“The earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord.” (Psalm 33:5 ESV)
God’s creation overflows with evidence of His benevolence and care. All across the earth, we can see demonstrations of God’s kindness and goodness.
Psalms 34:8 – Taste and see God’s goodness!
“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!” (Psalm 34:8 ESV)
Instead of just hearing about God’s goodness, this verse urges us to experience it for ourselves. As we draw near to God, we will encounter His goodness firsthand.
Psalms 52:1 – God’s goodness endures forever
“Why do you boast of evil, O mighty man? The steadfast love of God endures all the day.” (Psalm 52:1 ESV)
Unlike evil deeds and earthly powers, God’s goodness lasts forever. It remains constant from generation to generation.
Psalms 107:8-9 – Thank God for His goodness
“Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.” (Psalm 107:8-9 ESV)
We should continually give thanks and praise to God for all His goodness toward us. His faithful love provides for our needs and satisfies our deepest longings.
Psalms 119:68 – God is good and does good
“You are good and do good; teach me your statutes.” (Psalm 119:68 ESV)
At His core nature, God is good. And from His goodness flows good actions, blessings, and care. As the ultimate standard of goodness, God instructs us in His righteous ways.
Psalms 145:7 – God’s goodness is abundant!
“They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.” (Psalm 145:7 ESV)
We have endless reasons to praise God for His overflowing goodness. His merciful acts on our behalf are more than we could ever recount.
Jeremiah 31:12 – God’s goodness brings abundant joy
“They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion, and they shall be radiant over the goodness of the Lord, over the grain, the wine, and the oil, and over the young of the flock and the herd; their life shall be like a watered garden, and they shall languish no more.” (Jeremiah 31:12 ESV)
When God restores His people, He blesses them abundantly with joy, prosperity, and peace. His goodness brings true satisfaction and fullness of life.
Hosea 3:5 – Seeking the Lord and His goodness
“Afterward the children of Israel shall return and seek the Lord their God, and David their king, and they shall come in fear to the Lord and to his goodness in the latter days.” (Hosea 3:5 ESV)
God promises that after a time of judgment, His people will wholeheartedly return to Him. They will humbly seek both Him and His goodness.
Zechariah 9:17 – Goodness springs forth in abundance
“For how great is his goodness, and how great his beauty! Grain shall make the young men flourish, and new wine the young women.” (Zechariah 9:17 ESV)
The prophet Zechariah describes the extravagant goodness of God. When God blesses His people, goodness will abound in overflowing measure.
Romans 2:4 – God’s goodness leads us to repentance
“Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4 ESV)
Paul explains that God’s enduring goodness, patience and kindness should motivate us to repent. It is grace, not judgment, that draws us to God.
Romans 11:22 – Continue in God’s goodness
“Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off.” (Romans 11:22 ESV)
Here Paul urges believers to persist in following God so that they may continue experiencing His abundant kindness and goodness.
Ephesians 5:8-9 – Goodness comes from light
“for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true)” (Ephesians 5:8-9 ESV)
Light represents goodness, while darkness represents evil. As Christians, we are called to live in the goodness of God’s light and reject dark deeds.
2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 – God equips us for goodness
“To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 ESV)
Paul’s prayer is for God to empower believers to walk in goodness, faith and obedience. God gives us grace to live out His calling.
Titus 3:3-7 – God’s goodness saves us
“For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:3-7 ESV)
Despite our sinfulness, God in His great mercy and goodness sent Jesus to redeem us. Our salvation is not based on our own works, but on God’s gracious love.
James 1:17 – Every good gift is from God
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” (James 1:17 ESV)
James reminds us that all true goodness originates from God. He alone is unchanging and the giver of only perfect gifts.
3 John 1:11 – Imitate what is good
“Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.” (3 John 1:11 ESV)
John contrasts good and evil deeds. As God’s children, we should not copy evil behavior but instead model ourselves after what is righteous and good.
In summary, the Bible contains many verses that describe the goodness of God and instruct us to pursue goodness in our own lives. God is the ultimate standard and source of all goodness. His goodness is eternal, boundless and faithful. As we walk closely with Him, we can experience and share His goodness with others.
Other verses about goodness in the Bible include:
- Psalm 25:7-8 – God is good and upright
- Psalm 86:5 – God is good, ready to forgive
- Psalm 100:5 – God’s goodness endures forever
- Psalm 118:1 – God’s goodness endures forever
- Psalm 119:65-72 – Affliction leads us to learn God’s good statutes
- Psalm 143:10 – God’s spirit leads us in goodness
- Psalm 145:9 – God’s goodness extends to all creation
- Micah 6:8 – God requires us to act justly and love goodness
- Matthew 7:11 – God gives good gifts to His children
- Luke 6:43-45 – A good man produces good
- Acts 14:17 – God’s witness is His gifts and goodness
- Romans 15:14 – Believers are full of goodness
- Galatians 5:22 – Goodness is the fruit of the Spirit
- Colossians 1:10 – Christians should bear fruit in goodness
- 2 Peter 1:3-5 – God’s divine power equips us for goodness
Meditating on God’s perfect goodness leads us to worship Him, guides us to repentance, and motivates us to pursue Christ-like lives filled with righteous deeds. We can take great comfort in the many Bible verses promising that God’s abundant goodness awaits all who trust in Him.