Introduction
A birth is a gift that turns a family upside down. These 20 verses, quoted from the World English Bible, can go with a birth announcement, a congratulations card or a child dedication at church. They fall into five facets: the child as a gift from God, the joy that comes with a birth, blessing over the child’s growth, words that guide parents, and trust in God for the child’s future. Each verse is followed by a short comment.
The Child, a Gift From God
1. Psalm 127:3
"Behold, children are a heritage of Yahweh. The fruit of the womb is his reward."
The psalmist affirms that “children are a heritage of Yahweh.” The word is often understood to mean the children of a family in general. A child is therefore not something owed, but a gift entrusted to the parents, and this verse works very well on a birth announcement. Read all of Psalm 127.
2. Psalm 139:13-14
"For you formed my inmost being. You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful. My soul knows that very well."
David marvels that God “knit me together in my mother’s womb.” He concludes: “Your works are wonderful.” This verse invites parents to look at their newborn as a work of God, formed with care, unique and already known to him. Read all of Psalm 139.
3. Jeremiah 1:5
"Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Before you were born, I sanctified you. I have appointed you a prophet to the nations."
God speaks to Jeremiah to call him to his mission. He tells him: “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you.” The verse concerns the prophet first, but it shows that God knows each person before their life even begins. Read all of Jeremiah 1.
4. Psalm 113:9
"He settles the barren woman in her home as a joyful mother of children. Praise Yah!"
This psalm of praise celebrates a God who lifts up the humble. He “settles the barren woman in her home as a joyful mother of children.” It is a verse that speaks especially to families who have waited a long time for a child. Read all of Psalm 113.
The Joy That Comes With a Birth
5. Luke 1:57-58
"Now the time that Elizabeth should give birth was fulfilled, and she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had magnified his mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her."
Elizabeth, childless for a long time, gives birth to John the Baptist. Her neighbors and relatives see in this birth the mercy of the Lord, and “they rejoiced with her.” A birth is also a joy shared with those around you, which a congratulations card can remind us of. Read all of Luke 1.
6. John 16:21
"A woman, when she gives birth, has sorrow because her time has come. But when she has delivered the child, she doesn’t remember the anguish any more, for the joy that a human being is born into the world."
Jesus uses the picture of a woman giving birth to speak of sorrow that will turn into joy. Once the child is born, she “doesn’t remember the anguish any more, for the joy.” This verse can accompany a new mother who has just been through the ordeal of childbirth. Read all of John 16.
7. Genesis 21:6
"Sarah said, “God has made me laugh. Everyone who hears will laugh with me."
Sarah becomes the mother of Isaac at an advanced age, after a long wait. She exclaims: “God has made me laugh.” The very name Isaac evokes this laughter. The birth of a child can thus be experienced as an unexpected joy and a grace from God. Read all of Genesis 21.
8. Luke 1:14
"You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth."
The angel announces the birth of John the Baptist to Zechariah, saying: “You will have joy and gladness.” He specifies that “many will rejoice at his birth.” It is a verse of congratulations for parents surrounded by happy loved ones. Read all of Luke 1.
Blessing the Child Through Every Stage of Growth
9. Luke 2:40
"The child was growing, and was becoming strong in spirit, being filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him."
Luke tells of the childhood of Jesus: “The child was growing, and was becoming strong.” He was filled with wisdom and the grace of God was upon him. It is a wish you can offer any newborn, that he or she would grow in strength and wisdom. Read all of Luke 2.
10. Luke 2:52
"And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men."
Luke sums up the youth of Jesus: he “increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” This verse describes complete growth: intellectual, physical, spiritual and social. It gives parents a beautiful wish for the whole of childhood. Read all of Luke 2.
11. Isaiah 44:3-4
"For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, and streams on the dry ground. I will pour my Spirit on your descendants, and my blessing on your offspring: and they will spring up among the grass, as willows by the watercourses."
God promises his people, “I will pour my Spirit on your descendants, and my blessing on your offspring.” The promise was addressed to Israel, but parents gladly take it up in prayer for their child. They ask that God’s Spirit would rest on him or her. Read all of Isaiah 44.
12. Mark 10:14-16
"But when Jesus saw it, he was moved with indignation, and said to them, “Allow the little children to come to me! Don’t forbid them, for God’s Kingdom belongs to such as these. Most certainly I tell you, whoever will not receive God’s Kingdom like a little child, he will in no way enter into it.” He took them in his arms, and blessed them, laying his hands on them."
Parents bring their children to Jesus, and the disciples want to keep them away. Jesus answers: “Allow the little children to come to me!” Then “He took them in his arms, and blessed them.” It is the gesture that many parents hope for at a child dedication. Read all of Mark 10.
Words to Guide Parents
13. Deuteronomy 6:6-7
"These words, which I command you today, shall be on your heart; and you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up."
Moses speaks to the parents of Israel: “you shall teach them diligently to your children.” He asks them to talk about God’s commands at home, on the road, at bedtime and on waking. Spiritual training happens in daily life, not only on big occasions. Read all of Deuteronomy 6.
14. Proverbs 22:6
"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it."
Solomon writes: “Train up a child in the way he should go.” It is a general principle of wisdom, not a mechanical guarantee. It encourages parents to begin early to teach, guide and set an example, with patience and love. Read all of Proverbs 22.
15. Ephesians 6:4
"You fathers, don’t provoke your children to wrath, but nurture them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."
Paul gives direct advice to fathers: “don’t provoke your children to wrath.” He adds that they should be nurtured in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. He balances firmness and gentleness, which is helpful for young parents discovering their role. Read all of Ephesians 6.
16. Psalm 103:13
"Like a father has compassion on his children, so Yahweh has compassion on those who fear him."
David compares God’s compassion to that of a father: “Like a father has compassion on his children.” This verse reassures parents. They don’t have to be perfect, because they can learn to love their children by watching how God loves them. Read all of Psalm 103.
Entrusting the Child to God With Confidence
17. 1 Samuel 1:27-28
"I prayed for this child, and Yahweh has given me my petition which I asked of him. Therefore I have also given him to Yahweh. As long as he lives he is given to Yahweh.” He worshiped Yahweh there."
Hannah, who had prayed for a long time for a child, presents her son Samuel to the priest Eli. She declares: “I prayed for this child.” She gives him to Yahweh for his whole life. This passage is a model for a child dedication. Read all of 1 Samuel 1.
18. Psalm 127:1
"Unless Yahweh builds the house, they who build it labor in vain. Unless Yahweh watches over the city, the watchman guards it in vain."
The psalmist reminds us that “Unless Yahweh builds the house,” the work of the builders is in vain. This principle applies to a family that is just beginning: the birth of a child is a chance to ask God to build the house together with the parents. Read all of Psalm 127.
19. Psalm 22:9-10
"But you brought me out of the womb. You made me trust while at my mother’s breasts. I was thrown on you from my mother’s womb. You are my God since my mother bore me."
David remembers that God brought him out of the womb, and he affirms: “You are my God since my mother bore me.” This verse reminds parents that their child is also in God’s care, and that they do not have to carry everything alone. Read all of Psalm 22.
20. Psalm 128:3-4
"Your wife will be as a fruitful vine in the innermost parts of your house, your children like olive plants around your table. Behold, thus is the man blessed who fears Yahweh."
This psalm describes a family’s blessing: children “like olive plants around your table.” It concludes that this blessing rests on the fear of Yahweh. It is a good verse of good wishes for a home welcoming a new child. Read all of Psalm 128.
Further reading
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Bible verse should I choose for a birth announcement?
Psalm 127:3 is the most used, because it presents the child as a heritage from God. Psalm 139:13-14 and Luke 2:52 are also popular choices. Prefer a short, readable verse that expresses the parents’ joy and gratitude.
Which verses should be read at a child dedication?
Mark 10:14-16, where Jesus blesses the children, and 1 Samuel 1:27-28, where Hannah entrusts her son to God, are the two most often read. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 can be added to recall the parents’ responsibility in raising the child.
What does the Bible say about the birth of a child?
The Bible presents the child as a gift from God (Psalm 127:3), known and formed by him before birth (Psalm 139:13-14). It also describes the joy of those around (Luke 1:57-58) and the parents’ responsibility to train the child (Proverbs 22:6). These verses suit a card or a birth announcement.
to take notes and ask questions.