Introduction
To bless someone is to wish them good in the name of God. The Bible is full of Bible verses about blessings, and these twenty blessing scriptures fall into five facets: blessing others, living under God's blessing, the blessings we receive in Christ, blessing over family, and blessing God in return. Use them in a card, a message, or a prayer spoken aloud over someone you love.
Blessing Someone Around You
1. Numbers 6:24-26
"Yahweh bless you, and keep you. Yahweh make his face to shine on you, and be gracious to you. Yahweh lift up his face toward you, and give you peace."
God gives these words to Moses so that the priests can bless the people of Israel. It is the best-known blessing in the Bible, with its three wishes: to be kept, to receive grace, to live in peace. You can pray it over a child, a spouse or a friend, by saying their name. Read all of Numbers 6.
2. Genesis 12:2
"I will make of you a great nation. I will bless you and make your name great. You will be a blessing."
God speaks to Abram, who has no child yet, and makes him a promise: he will bless him, and he himself will be a source of blessing for others. Receiving God's favor therefore has a purpose, which is to share it. Ask yourself to whom you can be a blessing this week. Read all of Genesis 12.
3. Romans 12:14
"Bless those who persecute you; bless, and don’t curse."
Paul writes to Christians in Rome, some of whom face hostility from those around them. He asks them to bless those who persecute them, and not to curse. Blessing someone who hurt you does not mean approving what they did; it helps you not to keep bitterness. Read all of Romans 12.
4. Psalm 20:2-4
"send you help from the sanctuary, grant you support from Zion, remember all your offerings, and accept your burned sacrifice. May he grant you your heart’s desire, and fulfill all your counsel."
This psalm is a prayer of the people for their king before a battle. The believers wish that he receives God's help, that he is supported, that his desires are fulfilled. It is a model of blessing to speak over someone facing an exam, a surgery or an important step. Read all of Psalm 20.
Living Under God's Blessing
5. Psalm 1:1-3
"Blessed is the man who doesn’t walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand on the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in Yahweh’s law. On his law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree planted by the streams of water, that produces its fruit in its season, whose leaf also does not wither. Whatever he does shall prosper."
Psalm 1 opens the Book of Psalms by describing the happy man. He avoids bad influences and finds his joy in God's law, which he meditates on day and night. He is compared to a tree planted by a stream of water: a life nourished by the Word bears fruit in its season. Read all of Psalm 1.
6. Jeremiah 17:7-8
"Blessed is the man who trusts in Yahweh, and whose confidence is in Yahweh. For he will be as a tree planted by the waters, who spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes, but its leaf will be green, and will not be concerned in the year of drought. It won’t cease from yielding fruit."
The prophet contrasts here the one who relies on people with the one who trusts in the Lord. The second resembles a tree whose roots reach for water. When heat or drought comes, he does not stop bearing fruit. Trust in God holds firm in difficult times. Read all of Jeremiah 17.
7. Psalm 84:12
"Yahweh of Armies, blessed is the man who trusts in you."
This psalm expresses the joy of pilgrims going up to the temple of God. It ends with a simple conclusion: the one who puts his trust in God is blessed. True blessing does not depend on a perfect situation but on where you place your trust. Read all of Psalm 84.
8. Psalm 34:9
"Oh fear Yahweh, you his saints, for there is no lack with those who fear him."
David writes after being delivered from a great danger. He invites the faithful to fear the Lord, that is, to respect him with trust, because those who do lack nothing. This verse does not promise a life without trials; it says God provides what you truly need. Read all of Psalm 34.
The Blessings You Receive in Christ
9. Ephesians 1:3
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,"
Paul opens his letter to the Ephesians with a song of praise. He explains that God has already blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ. These are things already given: forgiveness, adoption, the Spirit. They are not what we must earn or wait for someday. Read all of Ephesians 1.
10. Philippians 4:19
"My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus."
Paul thanks the church at Philippi, which supported his ministry financially. He assures it that God will supply every need according to his riches in Christ Jesus. The verse speaks of needs, not desires, and it addresses generous people. God is faithful to those who give. Read all of Philippians 4.
11. 2 Corinthians 9:8
"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that you, always having all sufficiency in everything, may abound to every good work."
Paul encourages the Corinthians to give with joy to help other churches. He promises them that God can grant them every grace, so that they always have what they need and can do good. Blessing is meant to flow, not to stop with us. Read all of 2 Corinthians 9.
12. Proverbs 10:22
"Yahweh’s blessing brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it."
This proverb of Solomon states that the Lord's blessing brings wealth and adds no sorrow with it. The wealth that comes from God differs from the wealth we tear away at the cost of our peace. It is not reduced to money: it also includes family, health and peace of heart. Read all of Proverbs 10.
Blessing for Family and the Generations
13. Psalm 128:1-2
"Blessed is everyone who fears Yahweh, who walks in his ways. For you will eat the labor of your hands. You will be happy, and it will be well with you."
This pilgrimage song describes the happiness of the one who fears the Lord and walks in his ways. He eats the fruit of his labor and he is happy. This verse suits a card for someone starting a job, a marriage or a new chapter of life. Read all of Psalm 128.
14. Psalm 127:3
"Behold, children are a heritage of Yahweh. The fruit of the womb is his reward."
Solomon presents children as a heritage received from the Lord, not as something owed. This perspective changes how parents see things: the child is a gift entrusted, which is handed back to God in prayer. This verse is very often chosen for a birth or a dedication. Read all of Psalm 127.
15. Psalm 115:14-15
"May Yahweh increase you more and more, you and your children. Blessed are you by Yahweh, who made heaven and earth."
The psalm ends with a blessing spoken over the people and their children: may the Lord increase them more and more, he who made heaven and earth. The one who blesses is the Creator of all things. You can pray this verse over your children and grandchildren. Read all of Psalm 115.
16. Psalm 112:1-2
"Praise Yah! Blessed is the man who fears Yahweh, who delights greatly in his commandments. His offspring will be mighty in the land. The generation of the upright will be blessed."
The psalm describes the man who fears God and delights in his commandments. The blessing does not stop with him: his descendants will be mighty, and the generation of the upright will be blessed. A faithful life leaves a spiritual inheritance to those who come after. Read all of Psalm 112.
Blessing God in Return
17. Psalm 103:1-2
"Praise Yahweh, my soul! All that is within me, praise his holy name! Praise Yahweh, my soul, and don’t forget all his benefits,"
David speaks to his own soul and commands it to bless the Lord with everything within him. He adds not to forget his benefits. Blessing God means thanking him and acknowledging him. To begin, name out loud three benefits you have received this week. Read all of Psalm 103.
18. Psalm 34:2
"My soul shall boast in Yahweh. The humble shall hear of it and be glad."
David declares that he will boast in the Lord and that the humble will hear it with joy. Your praise is not only personal: it encourages those around you. Telling what God has done for you is a way of blessing both God and others. Read all of Psalm 34.
19. Psalm 63:4
"So I will bless you while I live. I will lift up my hands in your name."
David writes in the wilderness of Judah, far from the temple, and yet he decides to bless God as long as he lives. He lifts up his hands in his name. Even in a dry season, praise remains possible. It does not wait for everything to go well before it is expressed. Read all of Psalm 63.
20. Psalm 67:2-3
"That your way may be known on earth, and your salvation among all nations, let the peoples praise you, God. Let all the peoples praise you."
This psalm asks God to bless his people, so that his way may be known on earth. The purpose of the blessing is that all peoples praise him. When you pray to be blessed, also ask that your life reveal God's goodness to those around you. Read all of Psalm 67.
Further reading
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best-known blessing verse in the Bible?
It is the blessing of Aaron, in Numbers 6:24-26: “Yahweh bless you, and keep you.” It is used in many churches at the end of a service, and it also suits a written message or a prayer over a child.
How do you bless someone with a Bible verse?
Choose a verse that fits their situation, say it aloud or write it in a card, and put their name in place of the general 'you'. Add a sentence from your heart. There is no magic formula: it is your sincere wish before God.
What is the difference between blessing and being blessed?
Being blessed means receiving God's favor. Blessing means wishing or declaring that favor over someone, or thanking and honoring God. The Bible shows that the two go together: the one who is blessed receives in order to become a blessing for others.