There are plenty of Bible verses about sleep or related to sleep. If you’re struggling to sleep, reading the Bible can be a great thing to do before nodding off (and not because it’s boring!) There are obviously several things that can help us to have better sleep, including drinking plenty of water, turning off devices an hour before bed and getting in a decent amount of exercise during the day.
But even after taking these steps, sleep can sometimes be a struggle, whether that’s because you have a lot on our mind, a mental health condition or something else. We’ve talked about tackling depression and mental illness in other posts. But we thought it would be a great idea to focus on sleep and give you some bible verses about sleep and rest and sleep scriptures that should set our minds at ease.
Sleep is a natural part of being human. It keeps us alive. Some get loads of it, some don’t need as much as others, and some really struggle. But the fact is it’s an important part of life. God created sleep to help us recover, to recharge for the day ahead, and as an opportunity to rest. Sleep is essential for good long-term health, a good mood, and our overall physical fitness. We can have too much of it of course and the Bible warns against laziness, sloth, and avoiding work. But it still has its place. There are times in the Bible where characters sleep and a lot of cases it is when God chooses to speak to them, through dreams – whether to Jesus’ father Joseph or King Nebuchadnezzar. Sometimes He even disrupts sleep to set things in motion for His glory, like in Esther, when Mordecai and Esther are protected because the King had a disturbance in his sleep.
But there are also several verses that mention sleep directly and allude to the gift it is to us.
In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.
When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
This is an encouragement to not be afraid and offers us great comfort. Often what stops us from sleep is worry. There are more verses that relate to this below.
I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me.
The sustaining power of sleep and the protection the Lord offers us is implied in this verse.
The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether they eat little or much, but as for the rich, their abundance permits them no sleep.
Sleep comes easier when we’ve worked hard. That might be physical work that has tired out our bodies or work that was mentally taxing but rewarding. The passage implies that having more financial security doesn’t necessarily lead to better sleep. In God we have all we need, and this truth should help us to sleep better.
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Jesus says the best rest is found in Him. This famous and comforting passage is a great reminder that no burden is too great for Him, and that following Jesus will always give us the rest and satisfaction we need.
Many Bible verses about sleep do not directly reference sleep but are nonetheless very comforting and are often exactly what we need to hear before bed. Not only does the reading itself help us to feel sleepy but the comforting words of scripture can help us sleep peacefully. These Bible verses are great for anyone struggling with anxiety. We also talked about anxiety in this post. Here’s some examples of Bible verses which may help you sleep.
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.
Peace is what most of us need for sleep. God gives us an eternal, unchanging peace which should help us in times when we struggle.
Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
A classic Bible passage. It’s a hard instruction to follow but it is also completely true. When we truly let go of our worries and concerns and give them to God, He promises to guard our hearts and minds.
The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."
We are never alone. What a great comfort.
So do not worry, saying, "What shall we eat?" or "What shall we drink?" or "What shall we wear?" For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
As we mentioned above, often the reason we can’t sleep is because we have a lot on our minds and are worried about something. Jesus’ words here can be challenging but also comforting when we remind ourselves there is often little we can do, and God will take care of us. And finally, a classic passage from the Psalms. One of the most famous passages in the Bible in fact. This is bound to remind us of the Lord’s love and provision for us and is a great Bible verse for sleeping peacefully.
We hope this rundown of sleep scriptures and Bible verses about sleep has helped and encouraged you. All of these can be found in the Bible reading section of the Glorify app and many can be listened to in the daily devotionals and sleep stories, specifically designed to help you sleep. Photos by Andrew Wolff on Unsplash
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